West Indies Naval Campaign Medal (Sampson Medal)

SKU: 02.USA.0210.101.01

Estimated market value:

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Estimated market value:

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Attributes

country

United States
date of institution

March 3, 1901
remarks

The obverse of the Bronze Medal was designed by Charles E. Barber and the reverse was designed by George T. Morgan. There are different styles of brooch suspension and battle clasps used with the Bronze Medal. The first issues of the Medal feature a chain link clasp suspension, by which the pendant, medal ribbon, and ship clasp (instead of top brooch) are suspended by chain link from the battle clasps. In 1908, the top brooch pin depicting the ship's name was introduced, and these later versions of the Medal feature battle clasps manufactured for wear on the ribbon below the top brooch. Early issues of the ribbon battle clasps were sewn into the ribbon while later styles wrapped around the ribbon. It is uncertain how many clasps and top brooch bars are authorized for wear, as well as how many reverse inscriptions were used with the Medal. For this reason, only the Medal versions with associated images are featured here.

History

The West Indies Naval Campaign Medal, also commonly referred to as the Sampson Medal, was established by Congress and the Secretary of the Navy by a Joint Resolution on March 3, 1901. The Bronze Medal was awarded to Navy and Marine Corps personnel in commemoration of naval and other battle engagements in the surrounding waters of the West Indies and on the shoes of Cuba during the War with Spain between April 27 and August 14, 1898.

The Bronze Medal is issued with a top brooch bar inscribed with the name of the recipient's ship. 47 bronze clasps inscribed on the obverse with the battle and with the date of the action on the reverse are also authorized for wear with the Medal to denote participation in additional engagements.

There are multiple versions of the Bronze Medal which differ by the reverse inscription of the action and date for which the Medal was first awarded. There may be additional versions of the Medal which vary by composition.

The Medal features an official engraving of the recipient's name on the rim.

It is uncertain how many clasps and top brooch bars are authorized for wear, as well as how many reverse inscriptions were used with the Medal. More research is necessary.

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