VAMC Virginia Agricultural & Mechanical College was the earlier name for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The name was used between 1872 and 1896 when Polytechnic Institute was added. This uniform button would have been used between those dates 1872-1896. 3/4 inches in diameter. marked on the back Horstman Bros & Co. Phil[adelphia] it shows a standard motif for agricultural organizations of the time, a sheaf of wheat, plows, tools, etc. Made of brass the loop for attaching

Founded in 1872 as an agricultural and mechanical land-grant college, Virginia Tech is a comprehensive, innovative research university with the largest full-time student population in Virginia and one of the few public universities in the United States that maintains a corps of cadets.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has produced seven Medal of Honor recipients. Cadets live together in dormitories, march to meals in formation, wear a distinctive uniform on campus, and receive an intensive military and leadership educational experience similar to that available at the United States military academies. Unlike the US service academies, however, VTCC cadets are not required to engage in compulsory military service upon graduation, with as many as 80% of cadets in any given year elected to pursue a military career upon graduation

In 1862 Congress passed the Morrill Land Grant Act, signed into law by President Lincoln on July 2, 1862. Because of the Civil War, Virginia could not accept the provisions of the Morrill act at the time of its passage, although a “Unionist” legislature, meeting in regular session at Alexandria during the war, accepted the land-grant provisions for the state on Feb. 5, 1864.

With the approach of World War I, ROTC was established at Virginia Tech. In January of 1917, Infantry ROTC was established followed shortly by Engineer and Coast Artillery. During the war, Virginia Tech became an army post. Cadets were inducted and became enlisted men of the Student Army Training Battalion and it's Navy detachment. They were uniformed in Army and Navy uniforms. Two army-training detachments of between 226 and 308 men each trained on campus.

CPT. J.W.G. Stephens '15, of the 26th Infantry, led the first American forces "over on top" in combat near Montdidier, France. Many alumni served with distinction with the 1st, 2nd, 29th, and 80th Divisions, all of which saw heavy combat.

Virginia Tech's contribution to the war effort included 2,297 in uniform. These included 2,155 in the Army, 125 in the Navy, 19 in the Marine Corps, 6 in the Coast Guard, 1 in the British Army and 1 in the French Foreign Legion. One alumnus was awarded the Medal of Honor, seven the Distinguished Service Cross, and one the Navy Cross. At least eight were awarded the Silver Star. Twenty-six died in service and another twenty-six were wounded. Based on this, Virginia Tech was designated as one of twelve Distinguished Colleges by the War Department.

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Since the Spanish American War, 18 Virginia Tech alumni have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross or Navy Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor. These particular should be mentioned:

SPANISH AMERICA WAR/ PHILIPINE-AMERICAN WAR

Antoine August Michel Gaujot, and Julian Edmund Victor Gaujot, brothers who attended Virginia Tech, were both awarded the Medal of Honor. Antoine received the medal for bravery shown at San Mateo, Philippines, in 1899. His older brother, Julian, was honored for action under fire in Mexico in 1911. Natives of Michigan, the brothers enrolled at Virginia Tech in the 1890s but did not graduate. Julian attended 1889-90, matriculating from Lynchburg. Antoine attended 1896-97, enrolling from Williamson, West Virginia.

WWI

Maj. Lloyd W. Williams, a native of Berryville and a 1907 alumnus, was killed on June 12, 1918, when a shell exploded nearby while he was being evacuated. He had been gassed and wounded by enemy shrapnel in a battle near Chateau-Thierry, France. Williams has been attributed with one of the more famous quotes of World War I: “Retreat? Hell, No!”

Sgt. Earle D. Gregory
The first native Virginian to receive the Medal of Honor, was dubbed the “Sgt. York of Virginia” by newspapers nationwide during World War I. A native of Chase City, he attended Virginia Tech after receiving the medal for gallantry at Bois de Consenvoye, north of Verdu, France, on Oct. 8, 1918. He single-handedly captured 19 German soldiers and two machine guns, saving countless American lives. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre, Medal of the Legion of Honor, Medaille Militaire, and Montenegrin Order of Merit. He was president of the corps of cadets while at Tech and graduated in 1923. The cadet precision drill team, the Pershing Rifles, was renamed the Gregory Guard in his honor in May 1963. Gregory bequeathed his medals and war memorabilia to his alma mater before his death on Jan. 6, 1972. In 1972 the corps of cadets established three honors in his memory.

WWII

At least one Virginia Tech alumnus received the Presidential Unit Citation, indicating that each man in the unit deserved the Distinguished Service Cross: Col. Richard F. Wilkinson, a 1942 alumnus, earned a Bronze Star and a Silver Star for heroic actions while leading troops in Africa during WWII. His division saw more days of combat than any other American division in the war.

Sgt. Herbert Joseph Thomas was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross posthumously for heroism on the Solomon Islands during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. On Nov. 7, 1943, while leading his troops in action against Japanese forces, a grenade he tossed bounced back amidst his men. He flung himself upon it, sacrificing his own life to save his comrades. A native of Charleston, W.Va., and a member of the class of 1941, he was a nationally recognized varsity football player at VPI (now Virginia Tech). Thomas Hall is named in his memory. Elsewhere, a destroyer and a hospital were named for him.

1st Lt. Jimmie Waters Monteith Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for courage and gallantry while leading his men in destroying an enemy emplacement on the Normandy beachhead during World War II. He was killed in action on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). A native of Richmond, he was a member of the class of 1941 but only attended VPI for two years. Monteith Hall honors his memory

2nd Lt. Robert F. Femoyer was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism in World War Il. A native of Huntington, W.Va., and a member of the class of 1944, he saw action over Germany in a “Flying Fortress” and directed navigation of his anti-aircraft-riddled plane back to safety in England. Although mortally wounded, his action saved the lives of his crew. He died on Nov. 2, 1944, an hour after his plane landed. Femoyer Hall is named in his memory.

KOREA
During the Korean War, 1,867 alumni served, of whom 30 died in service, and one was awarded the Medal of Honor.
1st Lt. Richard T. Shea Jr., who attended the Army Specialized Training Program at Virginia Tech, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroic actions on Pork Chop Hill near Sokkogae, Korea. In more than 18 hours of heavy fighting against superior numbers, he moved among the defenders of Pork Chop Hill to ensure a successful defense and then led a counterattack, killing three enemy soldiers and refusing evacuation when wounded. He died on July 8, 1953, of wounds received in hand-to-hand combat while leading another counterattack

SOLDERED BACK RING

THE BACK OF THE CASE HAS A
HANGER FOR MOUNTING ON YOUR WALL

CASE OPENS FROM FRONT

INCLUDED WITH THIS OFFER IS A:

HISTORY OF THE WATCH AND ASSOCIATED MEMORABILIA WITH AN APPRAISAL FOR THIS SHADOW BOX AND ITS CONTENTS

Your Appraisal Shall Also Contain All The Information & History We Have listed Click Here To View A GSW Appraisal With History 

A ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE WATCH

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CONDITION WATCH:
VERY GOOD   -  RUNS EXCELLENT

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WITH YOUR INVESTMENT YOU RECEIVE:

b) FREE A ONE YEAR GSW LIMITED WARRANTY

c) 950.00 PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE **APPRAISAL

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