Union. Pennsylvania First Defender Medal. First Type. Copper. Awarded to Joseph A. Heidler of the York Rifles.
57 mm, total length. 27.5 grams. Two-part medal, the pin-backed hanger displaying the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms in a ring approximately 16 mm in diameter with crossed swords behind. The keystone-shaped drop depicts three upright rifles enclosed in a wreath, with the words FOR VALOR AND PATRIOTISM above and the date APR. 19, 1861 below. The reverse reads: PRESENTED / BY THE STATE OF / PENNSYLVANNIA / TO / JOSEPH A. HEIDLER / OF THE / YORK RIFLES / PER ACT / MAY 31 / 1893. Excellent condition and rare. Joseph A. Heidler was born in in York, Pennsylvania in 1837, and enlisted on April 20, 1861 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He served for three months in the spring and early summer of 1861 with the 2nd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry which was stationed between Winchester, Virginia and the Potomac River. Following the mustering out of the 2nd Regiment at the end of July 1861, Heidler enlisted on August 24, 1861 at York, Pennsylvania and on September 11 of that year, he mustered into K Company of the Pennsylvania 87th Infantry, where he served as a private for two and a half years. He was transferred out on February 16, 1864 into the Veteran Reserve (Invalid) Corps. Joseph married Sarah E. Puff of Wilmington, Delaware on July 29, 1864 in Chester, Pennsylvania and it is believed they had one son together. He is shown on the 1880 census working as a baker in the City of Philadelphia, where he applied for a veterans pension. He passed away at the age of 61 on April 10, 1898 in Reading, Pennsylvania and is buried in York. Included is a comprehensive research file detailing the history of the 2nd Regiment, the 87th Infantry, and the Veteran Reserve Corps, as well as an extensive collection of medical and other military records pertaining to Joseph A. Heidler.Due to the size and nature of this lot, additional shipping charges apply. Please call 800-458-4646 for more information.

Estimate: $1000