Sampson Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sampson Medal |
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| Type | Campaign medal |
| Eligibility | Personnel who were assigned in the fleet of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson during the Spanish–American War |
| Awarded for | Combat operations in the waters of the West Indies and Cuba. |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Order of Wear (1972) | |
| Next (higher) | Dewey Medal |
| Next (lower) | Peary Polar Expedition Medal |
 Sampson Medal ribbon |
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The Sampson Medal was a special award given by the U.S. Navy. It was created by a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 1901. This medal was given to people who served on ships with Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. They had to be involved in battles in the West Indies and Cuba during the Spanish–American War.
The Sampson Medal was also called the West Indies Naval Campaign Medal. It's important not to confuse it with another award called the West Indies Campaign Medal. The Dewey Medal was a similar award, but it was considered more important than the Sampson Medal.
Why Was the Sampson Medal Created?
The Sampson Medal was officially approved by the U.S. Congress on March 3, 1901. This approval was a special type of law called a Joint Resolution. The law allowed the Secretary of the Navy to make bronze medals. These medals were meant to remember important naval battles in the West Indies and near Cuba. These battles happened during the Spanish–American War.
The medal was given to officers and sailors from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. They received it if they took part in battles that were important enough to be remembered. If someone was eligible for the medal for more than one battle, they didn't get a second medal. Instead, they received a special bronze bar. This bar had the name of the battle on it and was attached to the medal's ribbon.
What Did the Sampson Medal Look Like?
The front of the Sampson Medal was designed by Charles E. Barber. It shows a picture of Admiral Sampson's head and shoulders. The back of the medal was designed by George T. Morgan. It shows a Navy officer, a sailor, and a Marine standing together. Below them is a block that tells which battle the medal was given for.
The medal's ribbon hung from a special pin called a brooch. This pin had the name of the ship the person served on. The name of the person who received the medal was carved into the bottom edge of the medal. This was one of only two medals officially given out with the recipient's name on it.
Special bars, called Campaign clasps or engagement bars, could be worn on the ribbon. These bars showed the names of different battles and the ship that took part. The medal was given for 47 different battles or small fights. Some people received their medal with several of these engagement bars. However, if the medal was worn as a ribbon on a military uniform, no extra devices were added to it.
