U.S. Navy Specially Meritorious Service Medal – Spanish-American War, 1898
Scarce original unissued example of the U.S. Navy Specially Meritorious Service Medal associated with the 1898 Spanish-American War and U.S. Naval Campaign in the West Indies.
The bronze cross features a fouled anchor surrounded by a wreath at center with “U.S. Naval Campaign West Indies” around the central medallion. The four arms read “Specially Meritorious Service 1898.”
This decoration was authorized by Congress on March 3, 1901 for officers and men of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps who had rendered specially meritorious service other than in battle during the War with Spain. Many of the awards were associated with hazardous rescue efforts involving sailors from burning Spanish vessels following the Battle of Santiago.
This particular medal has a plain, unengraved reverse and is accompanied by older collector/catalog documentation identifying it as an original but unissued strike with the proper brooch and wire pin catch.
The accompanying catalog clipping describes the medal as one of the rarest Spanish-American War awards and carried a historical sale estimate of $2,500–$3,000.
Includes the original-style solid red ribbon and period brooch assembly shown in the photographs. Medal displays an attractive aged bronze patina with areas of verdigris/oxidation and normal age-related surface wear. Ribbon remains quite presentable with age-related wear.
Unissued/unnamed example — no recipient attribution is claimed.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition, construction and contents. The pictured historical catalog/collector documentation is included.
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