The medal is bronze with oxidized, relieved finish.

Obverse

A Yucca plant in full bloom with mountains in the background. Above the plant appear the words MEXICAN SERVICE around the border and below the plant are the dates 1911-1917.

Reverse

On the reverse is a spread eagle on a trophy consisting of a cannon, six rifles and four standards, an Indian shield, quiver of arrows and three spears, a Cuban machete and a Sulu Kris, all above the words FOR SERVICE. Around the border at the top are the words UNITED STATES ARMY and thirteen stars around the bottom.

Ribbon

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches in width and consists of the following vertical stripes: 1/8 inch Emerald Green, 3/8 inch Golden Yellow, 3/8 inch Ultramarine Blue, 3/8 inch Golden Yellow, and 1/8 inch Emerald Green.

See Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards.

Medal. MIL-DTL-3943/194.

Ribbon. MIL-DTL-11589/94.

Army organization which received campaign participation credit for Mexican service may display streamers on their organizational flag. The inscription will be as indicated in the unit's lineage and honors.

The Mexican Service Medal was established on December 12, 1917 by War Department General Orders Number 155.

The Yucca plant symbolizes the geographical area of the campaign, and its thorny, spear-like leaves allude to the nature of the raids carried out by Mexican bandits. The mountains in the background represent the type of terrain on which engagements were fought. The wording and dates denote the campaign and the period during which it was conducted. The colors green and yellow are associated with the Aztecs of ancient Mexico. The Aztec standard carried at the battle of Otumba in 1520 consisted of a gold sun surrounded by the green plumes of the quetzal. The blue alludes to the United States Army and also refers to the Rio Grande River that separates in part Mexico from the United States.

One streamer is displayed on the Army flag to represent Mexican Service. The inscription is MEXICO 1916-1917.