Military Star Medal~Civil War?

[Letty]

This was found with the belongings of my husband's 3rd great-grandfather, who served in the Civil War. I believe his father (1811-1897) may also have served in the military in an earlier war, but have no verification. The dimensions are 3 5/8" from the top of the bar to the bottom of the star and 2 5/8" from the left to right points on the star and 2 1/4" from one end of the bar to the other. I have inserted the picture below, but am including a description. The letters on the bar are A L F A T, each letter centered on each of five points. The curved piece attached to the top of the large star has three small stars on it. The bottom part is comprised of two parts: a large star with symbols on each point (lamp with a star on it, draped sword, wheat, crown with an arrow through it and the fifth I cannot identify-it looks very much like a street lantern with a star on each of the two sides showing) and attached to the center of the star is a pentagon bordered by two raised lines with a star in the center otulined in a single line. The back is free of markings. The top bar has a long pin attached on each end. Any help identifying this would be very appreciated. Thanks

 

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[mojjax]

I' m not sure but it looks like it might be some sort of fraternal pin . Very nice !

 

[jeff of pa]

Buckram Beat me to it, But? ?L.F.A.T.A.? ?Womens Auxillary Masons? order of the Eastern Star was what I came up with

My Computer Wont Support JAVE SCRIPT so I don't know what the Site Above Says

 

[Letty]

After the first reply, I became curious. He was a Mason, as was his grandson and his granddaughter-in-law was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. I found a Masonic Printing Press Block on Ebay that looked remarkably similar. After coming back to the board and finding the reply with a link to an OES site, I am now satisfied that it is a medal from that organization. The OES site has a star with the same symbols in the same position. Thank you everyone for your speedy replies!

 

[Rebel]

Yo! Rebel here: Yep! Order of the Eastern Star... How I know? My Ma was Worthy Matron of O.E.S. in hometown... like I was Worshipful Master of Masonic Lodge, later... VERY NICE... and VERY VALUABLE...
pass it down the "family line"... we all do...

 

[Letty]

pass it down the "family line"... we all do...

I came across it while scanning all of the old family photos and memoribilia. It seems to be my mission for at least a while to move from family member to family member, borrowing, scanning and extracting information from all of the family photos, etc. Great fun for this family historian. The medal itself does not belong to me, but I'm certain that it will be passed down.

 

[JARMAN]

VERY COOL FIND.hh