Article and Photos by Nathaniel Gilchrist P.M., Lodge 43 Historian
The Lodge 43 World War II Masonic Service Medal is a rare and limited-edition keepsake item that Lodge 43 is proud to display in the Albert L. Einolf Museum collection. It had its origin at the close of World War I in 1917, when coin dies were created to produce a stamped coin for lodge members who had been active in military service in World War I. As quoted from the Lodge 43 history of that period in September of 1917, “a resolution was approved that Lodge 43 provide a silver Masonic identification mark, with the Brother’s name engraved thereon, to each member of the Lodge, who now or hereafter serves in the World War” There is very little additional information available as to the specifics of the medal, however, the Memorial Wall Tablet which hangs in the museum indicates there were 90 members of Lodge 43 who served in the military in World War I. It is assumed each of those members received a personally engraved Masonic Service Medal.
At the beginning of World War II, Pa. Grand Lodge formed the PA. Grand Lodge Military and Naval Service Committee. Its purpose was to recognize and provide financial support, and ongoing contact for all masonic members who actively went into Military and Naval Service during World War II.
In May of 1941 Grand Lodge made an appeal to all lodges for further financial support through member contributions from all members within each lodge. Those donations were to be used to render increased financial support to all Masons and their sons who currently were in active military service during World War II.
Andrew H. Hershey, as Grand Lodge Representative for Lodge 43, reported on a recommendation that was presented at the Pa Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication, whereby Military and Naval Service Committees were to be formed in each lodge, within each jurisdiction, in conjunction with the purposes of the Grand Lodge Military and Service Committee.
In September of 1942, Lodge 43 appointed a Lodge 43 Military and Naval Service Committee. Their responsibilities were to include: (1) providing accurate information on each member in military service to PA Grand Lodge, (2) to ensure Masonic Services were extended to military service members when home on leave, and (3) to assist the Grand Lodge Military and Service Committee as needed when requested.
The Lodge 43 committee included the following brothers: Carl W. Ernst P.M., John W. Weaver P.M., and Daniel B. Strickler.
This newly appointed committee saw fit to resurrect from World War I, the Lodge 43 Military and Service Medal to present to active military service members of World War II. They added a clasp on the medal so it could be worn on a chain as a neckpiece if desired.
Lodge 43 Military and Service Committee Reports
December 1941 – Annual dues were remitted for the ensuing masonic year (1942) for all members in active military service, or who were planning active service that year and for the duration of the national emergency.
The committee complied with all Pa Grand Lodge requests and information. In addition, in October of 1942, the committee reported they had procured Lodge 43 Masonic Service Medals, and upon Lodge approval, were to be personally engraved and presented to each of those members actively serving in the Armed Forces currently, and for the duration of World War II.
The dies were made in 1917 for the World War I medal by an unknown source, and those same dies were utilized again in 1942 for the World War II medals. In 1951 Andrew Hershey Lodge passed a resolution to produce a like medal for distribution in their lodge. They were able to use the Lodge 43 die for the front of the medal and had a new die produced for the back of the medal. Their die was made by a Philadelphia company, Aug C. Frank and Company. They had 25 medals stamped at that time. The picture below reflects all 3 dies now on display in the Albert L. Einolf Museum.
All Medals were stamped in silver and were the same size as a quarter. There was one exception.
There is one medal which was produced in brass and engraved personally for Andrew H. Hershey. Andrew H. Hershey had not participated in military service for either World War I or World II. His masonic record throughout his masonic life was extraordinary, and while the brass production of this medal is undocumented, it can only be assumed it was presented to him in recognition for his tireless work and contributions for the good of Freemasonry both locally and for Masonic Village.
The following photos reflect the silver medal displayed beside a quarter, and the brass Andrew H. Hershey medal (front and back), all of which are currently on display in the Albert L. Einolf Museum.
The following are excerpts from the Lodge 43 Military and Service Committee as reported each year during World War II.
January 1943 – The Military and Service Committee reported at that time there were 19 members in active military service and 24 sons of Lodge members in active military service.
Lodge 43 Military and Service Medals were engraved with their name and mailed to each of the 19 members identified.
$362.20 had been donated from Lodge 43 to the Grand Lodge Military and Service Committee.
August 1943 – The Military and Service Committee reported at that time there were now 20 members in active military service and 31 sons of Lodge members in active military service.
$485.20 had now been donated in total from Lodge 43 to the Grand Lodge Military and Service Committee.
January 1944 – The Military and Service Committee reported at that time there were now 21 members in active military service and 35 sons of Lodge members in active military service. Each of the 21 members in active service were mailed a Lodge 43 Military Service Medal engraved with their name.
$699.20 had now been donated in total from Lodge 43 to the Grand Lodge Military and Service Committee.
May 1944 – The Military and Service Committee reported at that time there were now 26 members in active military service and 37 sons of Lodge members in active military service.
$832.90 had now been donated in total from Lodge 43 to the Grand Lodge Military and Service Committee. Based on the initial recommendation for donations based on total lodge members, this represented half of what should have been donated over the past 3-year period.
December 1944 – The Military and Service Committee reported at that time there were now 29 members in active military service and 43 sons of Lodge members in active military service. Each of the 29 members who had been in active service over the past 4 years had been mailed a Lodge 43 Military Service Medal engraved with their name.
$1114.90 had now been donated in total from Lodge 43 to the Grand Lodge Military and Service Committee.
In summary…
The World War I and World War II Military Service Medals have become increasingly rare. There are only 2 on display from World War II in the Albert L. Einolf Museum in Lodge 43. There are no World War I Lodge 43 Military and Service Medals on display, or in the Lodge archives.
The Military and Service Medals would be a keepsake for any family who had a Lodge 43 family member who served in the military in either World War I or World War II. If any family has retained their family member’s War materials and Masonic items, and that Lodge 43 Masonic family member served in either World War, it would be an honor to have this most honorable Masonic treasure of their family member’s past.
So mote it be!