One of the finest Indian Wars / Spanish American war medal groups I have owned. All of the items in this group belonged to Colonel Charles G. Starr, West Point Military Academy class of 1878. Starr was assigned to frontier duty from 1878 to 1883. After returning from the frontier Starr served at various posts in the United States until he was sent to the Philippines for the Spanish American War. The medals include his Indian Wars Campaign medal number No. 153 attributed to Starr; the rare Order of the Indian Wars of the United States number 50 and engraved Maj. C.G. Starr U.S.A.; his Society of the Army of Santiago number 205 engraved Capt. G.C. Starr; th Military Order of the Foreign Wars of the United States number 365 and attributed; a fine Army 5th Corps badge engraved " Maj. C.G. Starr I.G. U.S.V. from Maj.Gen. W.R. Shafter N.S.V." and a second corps badge from the Army 8th Corps engraved " Lt. Col. C.G.Starr 11th Cav U.S.V. from Maj. Gen. H.W. Lawton U.S.V."; and finally an army sharpshooter badge with bar 1887-88-96. The accompanying archives photo of Col. Starr shows four of the badge in wear.
The Corps badges were apparently given by the Commanding General's in recognition for then Major Starr's gallantry in battle. Starr was cited for Gallantry in Action by General Lawton at the Battle of Santa Cruz when he took charge of the advancing left flank in the battle when General King was incapacitated. He was again cited for Gallantry in Action at the Battle of Zapote River by General Shafter when Starr commanded the 11th Cavalry's extreme right flank in the battle.
