$125.00

The Virginia Military Institute is located in Lexington, Virginia. It was founded in 1839 as America's first state military college and is the oldest public senior military college in the United States. During the Civil War after marching 80 miles from Lexington to New Market, on May 15, 1864 247 members of the VMI Corps of Cadets fought at the Battle of New Market. This event marks the only time in US history wherein the student body of an operating college fought as an organized unit in pitched combat. VMI suffered 55 Casualties with 10 cadets killed. Marked HAMRIC & SMITH LEXINGTON, VA. Buckle is in excellent condition and measures approximately 45mm by 75mm.