Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Humane Society of Massachusetts Medal awarded to John Silas Reed - American Journalist, Poet and Social Activist

Humane Society of Massachusetts Medal, bronze, reverse inscribed, ‘To John Silas Reed for Bravery in saving life, Cambridge, Oct. 11 1907’, with brooch bar suspension, nearly extremely fine £400-500

Citation: ‘Robert Bacon and John S. Reed jumped from the Harvard coaching launch and swam in strong current and cold water about forty feet to the assistance of two men clinging to a capsized canoe near Cottage Farm Bridge, Charles River.’

John Silas Reed (22 October 1887-17 October 1920) was an American journalist, poet and socialist activist. He attended Harvard College, 1907-1910 and was said to excel in swimming and water polo, sports which were stand him good stead when he helped in the rescue of two men from the Charles River in 1907. His later career as a journalist and social activist took him to Mexico where he reported on the Mexican Revolution, sharing the perils of Pancho Villa’s army, 1913-14 and thence to Europe and Russia to report on the war and latterly the Russian Revolution. In Russia at the time of the Revolution, he met both Trotsky and Lenin in his travels. When he died in Russia he was given a hero’s funeral and was interred at the Kemlin Wall Necropolis.

His life is featured in the 1981 film ‘Reds’ - with Warren Beatty playing John Silas Reed. With copied biographical details.