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Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal

Article about: This is a seldom seen US medal. It was issued to the Alabama National Guard troops that were sent to Phenix City, Alabama on 18 June 1954 to combat the corruption and lawlessness in the city

  1. #1

    Default Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal

    This is a seldom seen US medal. It was issued to the Alabama National Guard troops that were sent to Phenix City, Alabama on 18 June 1954 to combat the corruption and lawlessness in the city. This mobilization came as a result of the recently elected Attorney General Patterson being gunned down on the street in Phenix City. Troops remained in Phenix City until 17 January 1955. Considered the most sinful city in the United States at the time, it has since become a very pleasant southern town just across the river from Ft. Benning and Columbus, Georgia. Only 1000 of these medals were struck.
    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal   Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal  

    Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal   Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal  


  2. #2

    Default Re: Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal

    Major,

    Wow, no comments? Looks like you have the same proclivity that I do in posting "boring" items...we really are a couple of sods aren't we .

    I had never heard of this before. Was there any certain incident that initiated the murder or just hatred for the man in general?
    [B][COLOR=Black][SIZE=3][FONT=Book Antiqua][I] Steve[/I][/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]

    [CENTER][I][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=orange]Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?[/COLOR][/FONT]
    [/I][/CENTER]
    [B]
    [SIZE=3][COLOR=lemonchiffon][I][CENTER][FONT=Georgia]"Fly on dear boy, from this dark world of strife. On to the promised land to eternal life"[/FONT][/CENTER]
    [/I][/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

  3. #3

    Default Re: Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal

    Again, I had not even heard of this.

    Cheers, Ade.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal

    Quote by Steven M View Post
    Major,

    Wow, no comments? Looks like you have the same proclivity that I do in posting "boring" items...we really are a couple of sods aren't we .

    I had never heard of this before. Was there any certain incident that initiated the murder or just hatred for the man in general?
    Steve & Ade,
    Patterson was a Phenix City Lawyer and life resident. The town was corrupt to the max and the mob controlled every aspect of daily life in and around the city. There is a movie that was made shortly after the military took over called "The Phenix City Story" that pretty much sums it up.

    I had the honor of serving the citizens of Phenix City for 19 years as a member of the police dept after I retired from the Army at Ft. Benning, ending up as the Assistant Chief of Police. During that period of service I became friends with Hugh Bently Jr. who's father was a close friend of Patterson. The Bently's were a huge obstacle to the local mob and fought the corruption on a daily basis. The mob blew up Hugh's house one night. He was sleeping when the dynamite went off throwing him about 20 feet. After hearing that he won the election for Attorney General, Patterson went to his office downtown Phenix City where members of the mob were waiting and they gunned him down as he got out of his car. That prompted the Governor to send the National Guard in to restore law and order.
    Terry

  5. #5
    Batjac
    ?

    Default Re: Phenix City Alabama Campaign Medal

    Here is a link to Patterson's son describing the incident that led to this. It's part of the anti-gambling thing going on here in Alabama but a good telling of the story none the less.

    YouTube - APINewMedia's Channel

  6. #6

    Default

    I didn't ever really give any thought to this...but this probably does lead to some of the reason Alabama has had in opposing gambling, lottery, casinos...etc. It has been so long ago....Patton threatened to send his tanks into Phenix City bc so many of his soldiers were beaten, robbed, murdered. It was always said fishing dead people out of the river was a weekly event...although I am sure that is a bit exaggerated...it probably was common. The most shocking part of the movie were the acts of violence against Children...it was no joke and the mob didn't play in Phenix City.

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