War Medals and Their History

by William Augustus Steward

GOLD MEDAL PRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN NATION TO ADMIRAL DEWEY FOR THE VICTORIOUS BATTLE OF MANILA BAY, 1898.

The First Chilian Medal.—This was awarded to the participants in the first campaign, which, as the inscription on the reverse states, covered the inclusive period of DE 14 DE FEBRERO DE 1879 A 7 DE JUNIO DE 1880. This legend is on a blue enamelled ground, in the centre of the silver medal, bordered by a band of red. The five arms of the star are covered with scaling which forms the centre of the panels; the points are tipped with balls; conventional rays are issuant between the arms of the star. On the obverse, in the centre, is a laureated, Grecian head, symbolic of the Republic; it is gilt and encircled by a blue enamelled band bearing the legend CAMPAGNA A BOLIVIA I EL PERU. The decoration depends from a red, ribbed ribbon, and regulation brooches were issued with the medals for suspension.

The Second Chilian Medal.—For the campaign which resulted in the capture of Lima a silver Cross with five arms was awarded. The terminals of the arms are protected by beads and the panelling is scaled as in the other decoration; issuant between the arms, three leaves of laurel. In the centre of the obverse and reverse is a gilt five-pointed star upon a radiated ground. On one side in a blue enamelled band is the record CAMPAGNA DE LIMA 1887, and on the other REPUBLICA DE CHILE. This decoration depends from a blue ribbon, from a regulation silver buckle brooch. (See facing page [356].)

Tonkin, 1883-5.—The French medal for the China War of 1883-5 bears on the obverse, within a wreath of laurel, with ribbon entwined, the head of "the Republic," helmeted and laureated, with the word PATRIE on the forehead. Around, REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. Below truncation is the artist's name, DANIEL DUPUIS. On the reverse, in the centre of a circle, within a similar wreath of laurel, are the battle names, SONTAY, BAC-NINH, FOU-TCHÉOU, FORMOSE, TUYEN-QUAN, PESCADORES. Around, TONKIN CHINE ANNAM, 1883-1885, below, with a dot on either side. This is a small circular silver medal, 1³∕₂₀ in. in diameter, with a ring and loop for suspension from a yellow ribbon, 1½ in. wide, with four light green stripes. (See facing page [348].)

Spanish-American War.—Arising out of the difficulties between the Spanish and the Cubans, came the war between Spain and America and the opportunity for the United States Navy to demonstrate its power, with a squadron of only 6 ships, by destroying the fleet of 11 Spanish battleships in Manila Bay without the loss of a single man. I illustrate the remarkably fine medal which was presented by the American nation to Commodore George Dewey—Admiral Dewey, as he is known in Britain—and to the officers and men who served under him. The medal, designed by the famous American sculptor, Daniel Chester French, was struck by Messrs. Tiffany & Co. It bears on the obverse the bust of Admiral Dewey, and on the ground the following inscription, THE GIFT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE OCEATIC SQUADRON, UNDER THE COMMAND OF COMMODORE GEORGE DEWEY. On the reverse is a finely modelled figure of an American sailor, sitting on a naval gun, holding firmly across his knees the American flag, his left foot resting on a small panel upon which the name of the ship was engraved. Encircling all is the record IN MEMORY OF THE VICTORY OF MANILA BAY, MAY 1ST, 1898. (See facing page [368].)

German South-West Africa.—The German medal for South-West Africa, 1904-6, marks a departure on the part of the Germans in the application of art to the making of war medals. The severity which has usually distinguished them has disappeared, and we have in very low relief the richly helmeted head of Germania, surrounded by the inscription, SUDEWEST AFRICA 1904-06, and on the reverse the Imperial crown with ribbons surmounting the Gothic initial W. II, which is arranged above crossed swords, the whole being encircled by the inscription DEN SIEGREICHEN STREITERN. The medal was given in steel to non-combatants. The ribbon is white with a series of red horizontal lines down the centre, leaving a clear white margin, which is edged with black of an equal width, and to it is attached a gilt bar for services rendered in KALAHARI 1908. Like some of the medals awarded by American States, the bar is not attached to the medal, and is apt to get lost.

The Serbo-Turkish War.—Of this medal, with 1912 in the centre, 400,000 were struck and distributed to the officers and men who took part in the Serbo-Turkish campaign. Five medals were struck in gold for the Court. On the obverse is the Serbian Eagle, encircled by a laurel wreath upon the leaves of which are struck incuse the names of the principal battles, reading downwards on the left: Kumanovo, Uesküb, Prilip, Adrianople, Welles, N. Pazar, Debar, Istip, Prizren et Medare; and reading downwards on the right: Monastir, Scutari, Ohrid, Dojran, Sjeniza, Tetovo, Ljesch, Elbassan, Durazzo, and Pristina. The names are in Serbian characters.