SPANAM, BOXER REBELLION, MASSACHUSETTS, VOLUNTEER MILITIA, 9 YEARS SERVICE MEDAL, TYPE 1

Massachusetts Service Medal with Nine Year Suspension Bar. Pinback with open loop catch. 

The Massachusetts Medal (Type 1) is a Long Service Medal originally issued for nine years continuous long service as of January 1, 1891 (later changed to May 1, 1886) with the suspension bar inscribed, NINE YEARS. For every additional five years a bronze clasp was added to the ribbon with inscription, FIVE YEARS. For service during a war, beginning with the Spanish American War in 1898 and including the Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901, a bronze clasp inscribed SERVICE IN WAR was also added to the ribbon drape. In 1957, the MA medal was completely redesigned. The new medal utilized a light blue ribbon with narrow red center stripe for the Army National Guard and a dark blue ribbon with a narrow white stripe for the Air National Guard. Each component had its own specific top bar.