The Army of Cuban Occupation Medal was a
military award created by the
United States War Department
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department (and occasionally War Office in the early years), was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army, a ...
in June 1915. The medal recognizes those service members who performed garrison occupation duty in the
United States Protectorate over Cuba, following the close of the
Spanish–American War
, partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence
, image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg
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.
Criteria
The Army of Cuban Occupation Medal was established by War Department General Order 40, in June 1915.
To be awarded the Army of Cuban Occupation Medal, a service member must have served within the geographical borders of Cuba between the dates of 18 July 1898 and 20 May 1902. The medal was primarily awarded to members of the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...
, but was available to other branches of service under certain circumstances.
The first Army of Cuban Occupation Medal was awarded to
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...
Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood (October 9, 1860 – August 7, 1927) was a United States Army major general, physician, and public official. He served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba, and Governor-General of the Philipp ...
. The
Army of Cuban Pacification Medal was a similarly named decoration, but was awarded for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Cuba seven years after the close of the Spanish–American War.
Appearance
The medal is a circular bronze disc 1 3/8 inches in diameter. On the
obverse
Obverse and its opposite, reverse, refer to the two flat faces of coins and some other two-sided objects, including paper money, flags, seals, medals, drawings, old master prints and other works of art, and printed fabrics. In this usage, ...
is the
Coat of Arms of Cuba
The Cuban coat of arms is the official heraldic symbol of Cuba. It consists of a shield, in front of a fasces crowned by the Phrygian cap, all supported by an oak branch on one side and a laurel wreath on the other. The coat of arms was create ...
. Around the edge is the inscription ''ARMY OF OCCUPATION MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF CUBA''. The dates ''1898'' and ''1902'' are on either side of the
Phrygian cap at the top of the coat of arms.
The reverse depicts a spread winged eagle perched upon a trophy of a cannon, rifles, war flags, an Indian shield, quiver of arrows and three spears, a Cuban
machete
Older machete from Latin America
Gerber machete/saw combo
Agustín Cruz Tinoco of San Agustín de las Juntas, Oaxaca">San_Agustín_de_las_Juntas.html" ;"title="Agustín Cruz Tinoco of San Agustín de las Juntas">Agustín Cruz Tinoco of San ...
and
Sulu kris. Below the trophy are the words ''FOR SERVICE''. Above the eagle are the words arched around the edge ''UNITED STATES ARMY''. In the lower half at the edge are thirteen five-pointed stars.
The medal is suspended from a ribbon 1 3/8 inches wide. It is composed of the following vertical stripes: 1/16 inch ultramarine Blue; 3/8 inch old glory red; 1/16 inch golden yellow; 3/8 inch ultramarine blue; 1/16 inch golden yellow; 3/8 inch old glory ged; and 1/16 inch ultramarine blue.
See also
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United States Protectorate over Cuba
References
Bibliography
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{{Authority control
Cuba–United States relations
United States service medals