Medals of the Month -- 3rd Quarter 1998
| Medal of the Month - September 1998 | |
Battle of Manila Bay "Dewey" Medal |
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| The Battle of Manila Bay Medal, known colloquially as the
"Dewey Medal", was authorized by Congress in 1898 to commemorate Admiral Dewey's
victory over the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay during the Spanish American War. Until the adoption of Federally authorized campaign medals in 1908, the Dewey Medal remained one of only two service medals available to members of the US Navy--the other being the Sampson Medal, which was issued to commemorate a similiar victory over the Spanish fleet in the West Indies. Original issues of the Dewey Medal are impressed on the rim with the reciepient's name and rank. |
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| Medal of the Month - August 1998 | |
World War II Victory Medal |
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After watching the movie "Saving Private Ryan" I changed my
point of view concerning this medal. It ceased being just one of the lesser
expensive, more common medals available to collectors. Instead, it regained its
significance as a symbol of the sacrifices of a generation of Americans. The World War II Victory Medal was awarded by an Act of Congress dated July 6, 1945. All members of the armed forces who served at least one day of active federal service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946 were eligible. Despite its having been issued in the millions and the relative ease with which collectors can acquire it, the WW II Victory Medal is significant because it marks a turning point in American medallic history. It was the last "Victory" medal. The figure of Victory, which graced the fronts of both the WW I and WW II Victory medals was not used on the Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, or the Southwest Asia Service Meal. Perhaps the names of these last three medals support the perception that America is not in the business of winning wars anymore. |
| Medal of the Month -July 1998 | |
Medal of Honor -- Army |
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The Army design of the Medal of Honor was approved by
President Abraham Lincoln on 12 July 1862. Originally intended to recognize
"gallantry in action and other soldier-like qualities" among enlisted personnel,
the law as amended by an Act of Congress on 3 March 1863 to include officers. Over the years the requirements for award of the Medal of Honor have changed. As other awards were approved, they were always made inferior to the Medal of Honor. This resulted in the award criteria for the Medal of Honor being raised. Today, unquestionable proof of acts of heroism so unique and above and beyond the call of duty are required for the award. Since its inception there have been 2,362 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers of the U.S. Army. In addition to the changing award criteria, the Army design of the Medal of Honor has undergone 6 design changes. Illustrated is a Type V medal, used from 1944 until 1964. This design is distinguished from the current style by the fact that the Cravat pad with the 13 stars is made by folding and stitching that portion of the neck ribbon, whereas the cravat pad on the Type VI medal is a separate piece attached to the neck ribbon. |
