Spanish Campaign Medal
Encyclopedia
The Spanish Campaign Medal was a military award
of the United States Armed Forces
which recognized those members of the U.S. military who had served in the Spanish-American War
. Although a single decoration, there were two versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal, one for members of the United States Army
and another for the forces of the U.S. Navy
and United States Marine Corps
.
Early versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal suspended the metal from a gold and red ribbon, but this design was changed in 1913 upon request from Spain
that a United States service medal not bear the colors of the Spanish nation. The new medal was suspended from a blue and yellow ribbon. Separate medallions existed for both the Navy and Army. Marine Corps recipients received the Navy version with the seal of the United States Marine Corps on the reverse of the medal.
The only device authorized to the Spanish Campaign Medal was the Citation Star
and then only for U.S. Army recipients of the decoration.
, Puerto Rico
, or the Philippine Islands. For those members of the Army who had served on active duty during the Spanish-American War, but had not been deployed in action, a separate medal existed for bestowal, known as the Spanish War Service Medal
.
as well as an unofficial decoration known as the Sampson Medal
. In 1913, the navy discontinued the award of the West Indies Campaign Medal and extended the criteria of the Spanish Campaign Medal to any member of the Navy or Marine Corps who had served on active duty during the Spanish American War.
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
of the United States Armed Forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
which recognized those members of the U.S. military who had served in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. Although a single decoration, there were two versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal, one for members of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and another for the forces of the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.
Early versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal suspended the metal from a gold and red ribbon, but this design was changed in 1913 upon request from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
that a United States service medal not bear the colors of the Spanish nation. The new medal was suspended from a blue and yellow ribbon. Separate medallions existed for both the Navy and Army. Marine Corps recipients received the Navy version with the seal of the United States Marine Corps on the reverse of the medal.
The only device authorized to the Spanish Campaign Medal was the Citation Star
Citation Star
The Citation Star was an award of the United States Army which was first established by the United States Congress on July 9, 1918. The Citation Star was a silver star device pinned to the World War I Victory Medal to denote those who had been cited for extreme heroism or valor...
and then only for U.S. Army recipients of the decoration.
Army Version
The Army version of the Spanish Campaign Medal was established on January 12, 1905. It was awarded for military service performed between May 11th and August 16th, 1898 which such service in the geographical regions of either CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, or the Philippine Islands. For those members of the Army who had served on active duty during the Spanish-American War, but had not been deployed in action, a separate medal existed for bestowal, known as the Spanish War Service Medal
Spanish War Service Medal
The Spanish War Service Medal was a military decoration of the United States Army which was established by an act of the U.S. Congress on July 9, 1918...
.
Navy Version
The Navy version of the Spanish Campaign Medal was created in June 1908 and issued to any member of either the Navy or Marine Corps who had served in the Philippine Islands between the dates of May 1st and August 16th, 1898. Crews of select ships were eligible for the medal prior to May 1st. For service in the West Indies, the Navy awarded the West Indies Campaign MedalWest Indies Campaign Medal
The West Indies Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States Navy and Marine Corps which was issued for service in the West Indies campaign theater of the Spanish-American War. The decoration was established on June 27, 1908 and the first recipient of the award was Rear Admiral...
as well as an unofficial decoration known as the Sampson Medal
Sampson Medal
The Sampson Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy which was first authorized in 1901. The decoration was awarded to those personnel who were assigned in the fleet of Rear Admiral William T...
. In 1913, the navy discontinued the award of the West Indies Campaign Medal and extended the criteria of the Spanish Campaign Medal to any member of the Navy or Marine Corps who had served on active duty during the Spanish American War.