Name/Title
Medal, CommemorativeEntry/Object ID
2017.004.0003Description
United Spanish War Veteran's Medal - Master Sgt. rating at top
This medal was issued to members of the "United Spanish War Veterans." Anyone who served in the armed forces during the Spanish American War or during the Philippine American War was eligible for membership (this organization and the U.S. government both treated both of these separate wars as the same conflict). Over 325,000 served in the Spanish American War, and U.S. forces in the Philippine American War peaked at over 70,000 men.
The medal is approximately 4" long and 1-1/2" wide. At the top can be an American eagle within a laurel weath and shield of victory or the rating of the recipient. The ribbon has 13 stripes and 13 stars. At the bottom of the ribbon is a cavalry saber, an infantry rifle, and a naval anchor all crossed, representing the various branches of the military. Dangling at the bottom of the medal is the Spanish American War cross, with the four arms reading "Porto Rico" (spelling at the time), "Cuba", "Philippine Islands" with "U.S.A." across the bottom. The dates on the cross read 1898-1902 with the words "Spanish War Veteran" around a scene of soldiers and a kneeling woman. The Spanish American War began and ended in 1898. The Philippine American War began in 1899 and continued into 1902, though some actions still occurred as late as 1906.
The reverse side of the cross has the word "United" with "North", "South", "East" and "West" in the arms of the cross.Collection
Exhibit Support
