medal

Civil War Veteran G.A.R. Grand Army of the Republic Service Ribbon medal. Detached in two pieces. The top of half of the medal (A) is the copper relief of an eagle perched atop two crossed cannons and copper cannon balls; the eagle is holding a sword in its talons. A pin fastener is attached to the back of the eagle, and its pinned to the remains of an American flag ribbon that would have once held the medal together.

The bottom half of the medal (B) is a copper five-sided star. Obverse has relief of people joining hands, surrounded by motto "GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC 1861 VETERAN 1866"; reverse has shield. There is a bar connecting the top two points of the star, which would have once connected it to the silk ribbon. Belonged to donor's father, Elihu A. Thompson, who served in U.S. Navy during the Civil War as a landsman on the U.S. iron ram DICTATOR, U.S.S. VERMONT and other vessel; medal came to MSM on card with 50.595.1 and 50.595.2.