List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War facts for kids

The Spanish–American War (also called the Spanish-American-Cuban War) was a short but important fight between Spain and the United States. It started in April 1898 and ended in August of the same year. A peace treaty, the Treaty of Paris, was signed in December.

The war began because the United States wanted Spain to let Cuba be free. Cuba was fighting for its independence from Spain. At the same time, many people in the U.S. wanted their country to grow and gain new lands. This desire might have made the U.S. government interested in Spain's remaining territories far away from Europe. These territories included Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam, and the Caroline Islands.

Things got tense when there were riots in Havana, Cuba. The U.S. sent a warship called USS Maine to show its concern. Sadly, the USS Maine exploded, and many Americans died. This made people in the U.S. very angry. Some newspapers, known for "yellow journalism" (which means they exaggerated stories to get people excited), blamed Spain for the explosion and for being cruel. This made public opinion in America strongly support going to war. The war ended quickly after the U.S. Navy won big battles in the Philippines and Cuba.

The Treaty of Paris officially ended the war just 109 days after it started. Through this treaty, the United States gained control of former Spanish lands: Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam.

The Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest award a military person can receive in the United States. It was first created during the American Civil War. This special medal is given to members of the U.S. armed forces who show extreme bravery. To earn it, a person must risk their own life in a way that goes far beyond what is expected of them, especially when fighting an enemy. Because of how dangerous these actions usually are, the medal is often given to heroes after they have died.

During the Spanish–American War, 112 Medals of Honor were given out. One of these was given after the person had passed away. Soldiers from the Army received 31 medals, Navy sailors received 66, and Marines received 15.

A Famous Recipient: Theodore Roosevelt

One very famous person who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Spanish-American War was Theodore Roosevelt. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army during the war. He earned his medal for bravely leading a charge up San Juan Hill near Santiago de Cuba on July 1, 1898. What makes his story even more unique is that he later became a U.S. President. He is the only President to have ever earned the Medal of Honor. His medal was officially awarded by President Bill Clinton on January 16, 2001, many years after the war.

Images for kids

• 

  Benjamin F. Baker

• 

  Edward L. Baker, Jr.

• 

  Dennis Bell

• 

  Charles P. Cantrell

• 

  George Charrette

• 

  Claus K. R. Clausen

• 

  Osborn Deignan

• 

  Austin J. Durney

• 

  Herbert L. Foss

• 

  Joseph J. Franklin circa 1918

• 

  John W. Heard

• 

  Richmond P. Hobson

• 

  Francis Kelly

• 

  Harry L. MacNeal

• 

  William Meyer

• 

  Harry H. Miller

• 

  Willard Miller

• 

  Albert Leopold Mills

• 

  Daniel Montague

• 

  John E. Murphy

• 

  Robert Penn

• 

  George F. Phillips

• 

  John H. Quick

• 

  Theodore Roosevelt

• 

  Joseph F. Scott

• 

  Samuel Triplett

• 

  Ira Clinton Welborn