Spanish War Service Medal

ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION

The Spanish War Service Medal was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 873: Chapter 143, 40 Stat. 873, 65th Congress) on July 9, 1918.

EVENT COMMEMORATED

The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899, to servicemen who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. The Spanish War Service Medal was originally intended for members of the National Guard mobilized during the Spanish-American War but who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The Spanish War Service Medal takes precedence after the Spanish Campaign Medal and before the Cuban Occupation Medal.

DEVICES

No devices were authorized for this medal.

DESIGNER

The obverse of the Spanish War Service Medal was designed by Colonel John R. M. Taylor, and the reverse was designed by Rudolf Freund of Bailey, Banks & Biddle. The medal was sculpted by John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint.

FIRST RECIPIENT

Spanish War Service Medal #1 was presented to Major General Charles M. Clement on July 16, 1919.

DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM

Obverse

In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a sheathed Roman sword is shown hanging on a tablet upon which is inscribed FOR SERVICE IN THE SPANISH WAR