Fleet Marine Corps Reserve Service Medal, and 8 similar items

FLEET MARINE CORPS RESERVE SERVICE MEDAL, FMCR, MINIATURE MEDAL, TYPE 1, NOS The first medals issued display the words "Fleet Marine Corps Reserve" on the obverse. The type 1 medals were only awarded for a handful of months in early 1939. It was replaced by the type II medal for the second half of 1939 and a short time in 1940 before a complete activation of the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve occurred at the earliest onset of WWII. As a result, there was no need for either medal during the war, so both early types rarely surface for sale. The medal was established on 3/31/38, the initial procurement was 1,000 medals (FMCR Medal), the initial order to the US Treasury was on 5/3/38, The Naval Reserve Act of 1938 changed the designation. The MCR was called up in October 1940, so the issue was on hold for the replacements until 8/1/41 when the revised obverse was approved. The initial order for the 2nd design was ready for shipment on 11/17/41 (2,000 Medals)