Mexican Border Service Medal

This should not be confused with the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM), a different service medal authorized in 2025 for service on the Mexico-United States border bearing the same design.

• Name — Mexican Border Service Medal • Type — Military medal Service medal • Awarded For — Any U.S. Service-members for service on the U.S.-Mexico border who did not qualify for the Mexican Service Medal. • Country — United States • Presenter — Secretary of War • Status — Obsolete • Established — July 9, 1918 • Total Recipients — 41,000 • Higher — Mexican Service Medal • Lower — World War I Victory Medal • Related — Texas Cavalry Medal • Caption2 — Service ribbon

The Mexican Border Service Medal recognized military service members who were assigned to the U.S.-Mexico border when the United States was engaged in the Pancho Villa Expedition, a military operation conducted against the paramilitary forces of Francisco "Pancho" Villa during the Mexican Revolution. The U.S.-Mexico border was a potential location for a German-funded invasion by Mexico, which was exposed by British interception of the Zimmermann telegram, a communication that detailed Germany's proposal for Mexico to ally with Germany if the United States entered World War I. Those who received the Mexican Service Medal were not eligible for the Mexican Border Service Medal. The first recipient was Major General Charles M. Clement of Pennsylvania, in recognition of his status as the longest-tenured National Guard officer eligible for the award at the time it was authorized. Congress created a similar award for members of the Texas National Guard who served on the border between December 8, 1917 to November 11, 1918, the Texas Cavalry Medal.