See item #202 for more history of this event and related items #203-205. 1.75” crystal-clear real photo button without dot pattern showing oval photos of 2 Marines killed while taking the Custom House at Vera Cruz, Mexico in April, 1914. The button has a single straight vertical hairline crack at center. Otherwise, both the button and 1.75” attached flag ribbon are essentially Mint. The man on the left “Geo. D. Poinsett” was killed while hoisting the American flag on the landing pier. We do not know how the other Marine “Chas. A. Smith” was killed, but both men were from Philadelphia. In all, on the US side, there were 17 casualties and 61 wounded Americans. The deceased were returned to the United States by battleship Montana. There was a funeral procession from the New York Battery to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Marine barracks. The New York City mayor and New York state governor were in attendance and President Wilson was there to eulogize those who “Do Their Duty To Serve Mankind.” This event took place May 12, 1914. We’ve seen one other 1.25” version of this design pencil-dated on the flag May 13, 1914. This is the only 1.75” example we’ve seen of the button. It has a backpaper by Shaw of Phila. and was likely sold in both NYC and Philadelphia. Comes with Hake’s COA.