This is an early postwar veteran’s commemorative medallion honoring the famed 2nd Infantry Division of the United States Army. The obverse features a central five-point star with a Native American head profile inside a shield—emblematic of the division’s distinctive unit insignia—along with the division’s enduring motto, “Second to None.”Below is the dual date span 1917–1960, marking the unit’s foundational service in World War I and its continued legacy into the Cold War. The reverse features the profile of a Native American in headdress and the date 1917, stylized in a manner reminiscent of a US Indian Head cent, suggesting this was a piece designed with a deliberate nod to early American coinage and symbolism.

The 2nd Infantry Division was formed in 1917 during the rapid expansion of the U.S. Army for World War I. It distinguished itself at Belleau Wood, Soissons, Blanc Mont, and Meuse-Argonne, fighting alongside the U.S. Marine Corps in some of the most decisive battles of the war. During World War 2, the division landed at Omaha Beach on D+1, June 7, 1944, and participated in the breakout from Normandy, the Battle for Brest, the Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge, suffering heavy casualties in the push toward Germany.

Following the war, the 2nd Infantry Division was stationed in Germany before being rapidly deployed to Korea in 1950. It played a crucial role in some of the most intense combat operations of the Korean War, including the defense of the Pusan Perimeter, the breakout from Inchon, and the bitter fighting along the Chongchon River and the 38th Parallel. By 1960, the division had cemented its place as one of the most battle-hardened and continuously active units in modern U.S. military history.

This medallion was likely sold or distributed as a reunion souvenir or commemorative keepsake for veterans who served with the division between its founding and the early Cold War period. Its small size and looped top suggest it may have been worn as a pendant or added to a keychain or charm set—intended to be both personal and symbolic. These types of unofficial medals were popular among veterans who wished to commemorate their service in a tangible, pocket-sized way, often produced in small batches by local chapters or unit associations.

A unique piece of veteran culture, this artifact not only honors one of America’s most storied divisions but also reflects the personal memory and pride of those who wore the Indianhead patch into battle across three major conflicts.

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