Veterans of the German military on the USA

[Fred Borgmann]

I have always been fascinated by the idea of German immigrants forming their own veterans groups here in the USA, and have been collecting their medals and photo's for many years. For example here is a classic from the Washington DC area. It looks like the typical German vets medal of the time because it was made in Germany for the DC group! It was a different time, enjoy, Fred

[CRBeery]

Fred,
At a recent show I found a different one of these. I think it was for the vets of 1870 or WW1. It had a soldier on the front and the piece was stunning! It was very heavy and beutifully detailed - the soldier was one of the best detailed that I have found in any award or medal and seemed to be at least 1/8" from the surface of the medal to the highest point on him. I guess you could say a "deep" stike. The text was in German so I thought it was a vet. award from there until I saw Cleveland O. on the bottom of the reverse. I know there are many Germans in this area but I did not know that there were groups this well organized around here. It was very interesting to me and my eclectic collecting style. Post more if you have them!
CRBeery

[Fred Borgmann]

Thanks CR, I'm sure all these type medals predate the US entry in to WWI. The piece you described sounds spectacular and could be made with two piece construction. I hope you can post a scan of it here and I will post more as time goes on. Fred

[JBFloyd]

The whole field of German veterans' groups in the US is practically untouched, but you often run into some very interesting items.

We had the following item in our February sale:

"Membership certificate of the "Bund des Eiserne Kreuzes Deutscher Patrioten in Amerika", to John Ott. A full-color lithograph document (14x11 inches) with a large representation of a 1914 Iron Cross, with the German flag in the background, with conjoined German and US shields and dated "1914/15". The organization supported the families of German soldiers fighting for the fatherland."

Plus, I've seen badges and ribbons from 1870 veterans' groups and at least one badge from a group of Germans who had served in the US Army c.1885.

[Fred Borgmann]

Thanks Jeff, I missed that one! Here's another one for everyone's viewing pleasure. This one is from San Francisco. Enjoy, Fred

[Fred Borgmann]

Next I'll present a photo of one of the German veterans in his veterans uniform. He is a veteran of the Franco-Prussian war and was in Sheboygan Wisconsin when this photo was taken. Fred

[McCulloh]

what's the uniform?

Is that a Wisconsin Militia uniform? Or is it some sort of fraternal organization? Looks @1890.
Thanks,
JeMc

[Fred Borgmann]

You are right Jeff in that it does look like an American uniform but it is not. I suspect that any uniform supply store at the time would have sold similar uniforms to any group. His medals are German and there are no American or Wisconsin insignia on it! Fred

[Fred Borgmann]

Here is another one of lower rank from Fond Du Lac, Wis. Don't know in the style variation reflects a different time and or place or simply how much money a fellow had to spend.

[Diesel]

Kriegerverein Baltimore

Hi
I found this article in an old Magazine. (Der Sächsische Kameraden-Kalender 1933)



Kriegerverein Baltimore

Die Deutschen in America pflegen mit besonderem Eifer auch ihre militärischen Erinnerungen. Sie haben sich seit Jahrzehnten ganz wie bei uns in Kriegervereine und diese in große Verbände zusammengeschlossen. Sie haben eigne Zeitungen, sie veranstalten Deutsche Tage und Wiedersehensfeiern und erfüllen damit im Ausland wichtige deutsche Aufgaben. Sie halten auch mit den Kameraden in Deutschland gute Verbindungen und haben schon des öfteren offne Hand zur Linderung der Not bei uns gezeigt. Auch mit dem Sächsischen Militär-Vereins-Bund bestehen gute Beziehungen. Die Bundeszeitung und der Bundeskalender werden auch von sächsischen Kameraden in Nordamerika gehalten und gelesen. Einer der eifrigsten Leser ist ein ehemaliger Karabinier, Kam. Weller in Baltimore, den das beigefügte Bild vom Kriegerverein Baltimore als mittelster stehend zeigt.

Regards
Diesel