The Mexican Border Veterans Association was organized in November, 1929, at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Membership was extended to all surviving veterans of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and National Guard who served from January 1, 1916 to April 6, 1917. Its stated purpose was to “promote true comradeship and mutual helpfulness; (and) to keep alive that spirit of patriotism, which prompted service...in 1916 and 1917.” (Constitution, Article II) The national headquarters was located in Hartford, Connecticut until 1946, when it was moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1948 the name was changed to United Mexican Border Veterans, and changed a second time in 1958, to Mexican Border Veterans (MBV).
The organization expended a great deal of effort attempting to secure for its members Congressional recognition as veterans of a foreign war. The MBV obtained the right to flag-draped caskets in 1961 (Public Law 87-240) and to VA medical treatment in 1969 (Public Law 91-500), but did not gain full pension rights until December 1970 (Public Law 91-588).
