HERMELING" and marked "990" (silver) on the reverse
Pennsylvania and was a member of Ottertbein United Brethern Sunday School when he enlisted for service as a Private with the United States Army on November 9
He began his career in the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) before the First World War
He was a resident of Brockville when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (639183) with the 156th Infantry Battalion "156th Leeds and Grenville Battalion"
Germany, Third Reich. An Order Of The German Eagle, Silver Medal Of Merit With Swords, By The Vienna Mint United Republic of HERMELING" and marked "990" (silver)(Orden vom Deutschen Adler, Silberne Verdienstmedaille mit Schwertern). Instituted 1 May 1937. Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with horizontal pinback, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross, with its quadrants joined by NSDAP style German national eagles clutching wreathed mobile swastika, the twelve oclock position bearing crossed swords, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of DEUTSCHE VERDIENST