History

The Independence Battalion Medal (Medalla para el Batallón Independencia) was instituted in 1900 by the Municipality of Corocoro, Bolivia in recognition of the heroic actions that veterans of the Independence Battalion (Batallón Independencia), and citizens, displayed at the Battle of Pisagua, the first battle in the Pacific War, who fought against an invading Chilean forces on November 2, 1879.

This Medal was awarded to veterans of the Independence Battalion, which numbered about 450 men at the time of the battle. However, many citizens also took part at the battle of Pisagua

This Medal features an obverse inscription that can be translated to "The Municipality of Corocoro to Independence Battalion 1900," and a reverse inscription that can be translated to "Heroic Actions at Pisagua November 2, 1879."