South Carolina Palmetto Medal for the Mexican War to
noted Southern Journalist and later Confederate Colonel.

     The Volunteer and Regular Army troops returned from Mexico to a tumultuous hero’s welcome. Speeches, parades, and newspaper praise awaited them. Officers and other notables were presented with swords, goblets of honor, land and other tributes. Soon talk began of giving medals to all who served. The badges of honor given to American soldiers who served in the Mexican-American War can rightfully be considered the first American Campaign medals and if one omits the somewhat unique Revolutionary War Badge of Military Merit, the first American military medal. Three specific medals were struck. One by the State of South Carolina, another by the City of Charleston, and a third by the City of New York.

    The South Carolina State Medal, or Palmetto Medal, is a well struck table medal given in silver to enlisted men and NCO’s and in gold to officer’s. In the event of death it was presented to the next of kin. Named on the reverse, the NCO and officer medals give the rank whereas awards to Privates simple state the name. Authorized by the SC General Assembly in 1848 the Palmetto Medal was engraved by William J. Keenan and struck by the Charleston firm of Hayde, Brother and Company. Minted in the 1850’s, early examples have the name Keene found on the strike. It is accurately estimated (thanks to research by Jack A. Myers of Columbia , SC.) that 882 medals were struck and presented. 68 gold and 657 silver (with only 157 of these to NCO’s)

This fine cased NCO's medal is named to Sergeant Carey W. Styles.  Styles served with Co. D, called the "Old 96 Boys", of Edgefield District, under Capt. Preston S. Brooks.
During the American Civil War he served as a Captain with the 2nd Georgia Infantry and was Colonel of hte 26th Regment of Georgia Infantry.
A webpage on noted Southern newspaperman notes the following:  Carey Wentworth Styles, journalist, was born October 7, 1825, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and died February 25, 1897, in Stephenville, Texas. He founded and owned the Albany, Georgia, Albany News (ca. 1866-1876), founded and was part owner of the Atlanta Constitution (1868), was elected a Georgia state senator from the 10th District (1872), edited the Atlanta, Georgia Daily Commonwealth (1876; failed), published the Atlanta Telegram (failed), the Gainesville Eagle (failed), and the Brunswick Seaport Appeal (failed). In 1881, he moved to Texas where he edited the Weatherford Constitution. lived there until his death.