This item is part of A Fine Collection of American Society & Association Membership Badges. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
A Maltese cross with three rays between each arms of the cross, the centre obverse presents a figure 8 with red centres, bordered by white-enamel then blue-enamel, with fine golden lines between the colours and around the outer edge, the centre reverse bears the engraving BRIG GEN’L CHARLES MCC REEVE, circumscribed by the inscription SOCIETY ARMY OF THE PHILIPPINES MCM, the link is marked with number 473, measuring 30.56 mm (w) x 33.45 mm (h), on loop for suspension from period original silk ribbon with vertical stripes, white on each side of the red, blue on each border, and a khaki band down the centre of the red centre stripe, with horizontal pinback, and in overall very fine condition.
Footnote: Charles McCormick Reeve was born to parents Isaac Van Duzer Reeve (1813-1890) and Elizabeth Mann (nee Shepard) Reeve (1819-1855) on 7 August 1847 in Canandaigua, New York. He attended Canandaigua Academy and then went on to Yale University where he was president of the University Glee Club, member of Junior Exhibition and Class Day, as well as member of Linonia, Delta Kappa, Phi Theta Psi, and Psi Upsilon. He graduated in 1870 with his BA and participated in a scientific expedition headed by Professor Othniel C. Marsh (1831-1899) into the Nebraska hills in search of fossils. He studied law in Plymouth, Indiana and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He married Christine Lawrence (1852-1935) on 31 May 1873 in Hennepin, Minnesota.
Reeve joined the National Guard. At the outbreak of the Spanish American War he was colonel with the 13th Minnesota Regiment. He served under General Arthur MacArthur. Reeve led the ground attack that captured Manila on 13 August 13 1898. His regiment suffered casualties greater than all other units combined. Reeve was shot through the hat but not injured. He was awarded a medal for gallantry and advanced to the rank of brigadier general. He was the first military chief of police on the city of Manila.
He returned to Minneapolis a hero and lived the life of a hero. He was consulted for his opinion when war threatened again. In August 1939 he was quoted, "The Poles aren't going to give up Danzig, and the Germans won't risk a war to get it." At age 95 there were tongue in cheek suggestions that he go back to the Philippines to help MacArthur clear out the Japanese.
McC. Reeve wintered in Winter Park, Florida. He died just short of his hundredth birthday at his summer home at Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota. His estate had an estimated value in excess of $100,000 including an extensive collection of antiques, miniatures and weapons. The weapons collection was donated to the Minnesota Historical Society. Much of his collection was donated to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Other parts were given to relatives.
He served as first president of Apollo Club. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He had been the oldest living graduate of Yale and believed to be the oldest living veteran of the Spanish American War.
The McC. Reeve coin collection was consigned for auction to Thomas Lindsey Elder for two sales 5 November 1937, and 12 May 1939.
The Society Army of the Philippines was organized in Denver, Colorado on 13 August 1899.