In May 2009, Company A, 49th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment (known colloquially as The Iowa Rifles) was formed and joined the ranks of the Sons Veteran Reserve of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War when it received it's unit charter in June 2009.

Formed for the specific purpose of becoming an Honor Guard unit for the Department of Iowa (SUVCW); and, patterned after Regular Army Regimental Color Guards per US Army Regulations, 1863, the Rifles began immediately to take part in patriotic events, memorial celebrations, educational programs, and funds-raising projects while doing "meet and greet" educational displays at public venues around the state of Iowa.

Establishing, as an on-going mission, the goal of repairing and restoring monuments erected to our Civil War ancestors, the Iowa Rifles Monument Restoration Project was established; and, the early focus of the project became the restoration of the monument to "Herron's Division" (including the 19th, 20th, 34th, and 38th Iowa V.I.R.'s) on land that was once part of the Vicksburg National Battlefield Park, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

This monument, along with others honoring Missouri and Indiana units sits on land that was transferred from National Park ownership to local political entities at some point in the 1970's. They were then vandalized by persons unknown who stole the bronze marker plaques from the monument and have sat derelict ever since. Efforts are now underway to remove these monuments from their present location back onto land that is under Park Service supervision and the time has come to restore them. No Federal monies are available for the restoration, so the Iowa Rifles vowed to undertake this costly restoration by funding the casting and re-setting of new plaques upon the monument once it is moved.

In the short period of only six months the financial goals for this project have been met and the 49th Iowa Regiment of Volunteer Infantry has provided the funding necessary to restore this monument. When the restoration is completed the Regiment will deploy to Vicksburg for the re-dedication ceremonies.

In honor of this very significant accomplishment, active members of the Regiment who took part in the funds-raising activities of the unit during the period between 25th May, 2009 and 31st December, 2009 will be awarded the medal, shown in the accompanying photograph, for their participation in this outstanding undertaking.

The Medal itself features a "drop" that is a stylized version of the National Colors, and is reminiscent of the original Grand Army of the Republic membership badges; the "V" device is, of course, for "Vicksburg"; the classic "star" pattern of the medal is the long-standing military design for a completed "campaign"; and, the "Shielded Eagle" on the star is the emblem of the United States Army, in whose service the four regiments of "Herron's Division" served at the time of the various battles that comprised the Siege of Vicksburg (1862-1863).

This medal becomes the first 'Campaign Medal' to be awarded to the unit for it's efforts in monument restoration. It will not be the last. There are literally dozens of others that are in dire need of repair, restoration, or replacement and we will get to them one at a time.

Respectfully Submitted in Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty,



1/SGT David M. Lamb
Commanding
Co. A, 49th Regiment
Iowa Volunteer Infantry
The Iowa Rifles