United States. A Military Order of Surgeons in Gold, by Mermod Jaccard & King, to Dr. J. Forrest Burnham

A cross constructed of 14K Gold, the obverse presents a red-enamelled cross bordered with Gold, superimposed with a white shield of the United States in red, white, and blue with stars of gold, surrounded by the motto OMNIA PRO PATRIAE CARITATE, the reverse marked with the number 567, hand engraved J. FORREST BURNHAM MD LAWRENCE MASS, maker marked MERMOD JACCARD & KING, measuring 32.03 mm (w) x 36.10 mm (h), on loop for suspension from period original ribbon consisting of two bands of crimson enclosing a band of white, and in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Dr. J. Forrest Burnham was born in the year 1869 in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Joseph Albert Burnham (1826-1892) and Harriet Colby (nee Cook) Burnham (1831-1911). In 1901, after attending Harvard University, Dr. Burnham received his medical degree from the Harvard Medical School. He opened a medical office at 383 Haverhill Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts. On 26 July 1912, Dr. Burnham married M. Belle James (1870-1952). James was born in Manchester, New Hampshire to Joseph H. James and Almira (nee Brush) James. On 23 January 1913, Dr. Burnham received the appointment to Assistant Surgeon in the Medical Reserve Corps. According to the Andover Townsman, Dr. Burnham returned from service in the United States Army in March of 1919. Dr. Burnham served as a member of the Council of the Massachusetts Medical Society from the Essex North District from 1920-1939. In addition, he was Secretary of the Essex North District Medical Society, a member of the Joint Cancer Committee of Lawrence Medical Club and Lawrence General Hospital, and Chairman of the Lawrence Cancer Clinic Committee. He passed away in the year 1940.