The Spanish–American War (Spanish; Castilian: Guerra Hispano-Estadounidense, desastre del 98, Guerra Hispano-Cubana-Norteamericana or Guerra de Cuba ) was a military conflict between Spain and the United States that began in April 1898. Hostilities halted in August of that year, and the Treaty of Paris was signed in December.
The war began after the American demand for Spain's peacefully resolving the Cuban fight for independence was rejected, though strong expansionist sentiment in the United States may have motivated the government to target Spain's remaining overseas territories: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam and the Caroline Islands.[1]
Riots in Havana by pro-Spanish "Voluntarios" gave the United States a reason to send in the warship to indicate high national interest. Tension among the American people was raised because of the explosion of, and "yellow journalism" that accused Spain of extensive atrocities, agitating American public opinion. The war ended after decisive naval victories for the United States in the Philippines and Cuba.
The Treaty of Paris ended the conflict 109 days after the outbreak of war giving the United States ownership of the former Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam.
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.[2]
During the Spanish–American War, a total of 112 Medal of Honor are awarded, including 1 was awarded posthumously. 31 for Army, 66 for Navy and 15 for Marine.
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes[3] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | aboard, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | Left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade from drowning. | |||||
| Navy | aboard, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba | Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated. | |||||
| Navy | aboard, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard, Battle of Cárdenas, Cuba | On board the torpedo boat Winslow during the actions at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Marblehead during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard from Cat Island to Nassau | On board USS Potomac during the passage of that vessel from Cat Island to Nassau, 14 November 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying extraordinary heroism while under heavy fire from Spanish batteries. | |||||
| Army | Las Guasimas, Cuba | In addition to performing gallantly the duties pertaining to his position, voluntarily and unaided carried several seriously wounded men from the firing line to a secure position in the rear, each instance being subjected to a very heavy fire and great exposure and danger. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying extraordinary heroism while under heavy fire from Spanish batteries. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Winslow, Battle of Cárdenas, Cuba | On board the U.S. Torpedo Boat Winslow during the action at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard off Cavite, Manila Bay, the Philippines | On board USS Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, P.I., 21 May 1898. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard U.S.S.Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Marblehead, during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying extraordinary heroism while under heavy fire from Spanish batteries. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, the Philippines | On board USS Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, the Philippines, 21 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | Cuzco, Cuba | For heroism and gallantry in action. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville near Cienfugos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Mouth of Manimani River, west of Bahia Honda, Cuba | After 2 men had been shot down by Spaniards while transmitting orders to the engine-room on the Wanderer, the ship having become disabled, this officer took the position held by them and personally transmitted the orders, remaining at his post until the ship was out of danger. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | In connection with the sinking of USS Merrimac at the entrance to the fortified harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 3 June 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, the Philippines | On board USS Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, the Philippines, 21 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard, Manila, the Philippines | Serving in the presence of the enemy, Itrich displayed heroism during the action. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Potomac from Cat Island to Nassau | On board USS Potomac during the passage of that vessel from Cat Island to Nassau, 14 November 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Winslow, Battle of Cárdenas, Cuba | On board the torpedo boat Winslow during the action at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard | On board USS Vixen on the night of 28 May 1898. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard off Santiago de Cuba | On board USS Iowa off Santiago de Cuba, 20 July 1898. | |||||
| Army | Santiago de Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying extraordinary heroism while under heavy fire from Spanish batteries. | |||||
| Army | Santiago de Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba | Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts had been frustrated. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard, Battle of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying gallantry while under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Vixen | On board USS Vixen on the night of 28 May 1898. Following the explosion of the lower front manhole gasket of boiler A of that vessel, Mahoney displayed great coolness and self-possession in entering the fireroom. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. Name changed to Patrick F. Ford, Jr. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness through this action. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | On board USS Nashville, during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Near Santiago, Cuba | Distinguished gallantry in encouraging those near him by his bravery and coolness after being shot through the head and entirely without sight. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying extraordinary heroism while under heavy fire from Spanish batteries. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba | – | On board USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. | ||||
| Navy | aboard, First Battle of Manzanillo, Cuba | For displaying heroism and gallantry under fire. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying extraordinary heroism while under heavy fire from Spanish batteries. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Iowa off Santiago de Cuba | On board USS Iowa off Santiago de Cuba, 20 July 1898. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | , harbor of Santiago de Cuba | For displaying extraordinary heroism while under heavy fire from Spanish batteries. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | battle of Cuzco, Cuba | Quick signaled on 3 different occasions while exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of San Juan Hill, near Santiago de Cuba | For leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill. Was awarded by President Bill Clinton on January 16, 2001. The only President to earn the Medal of Honor.[4] | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba | – | On board USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Spicer took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.[2] | ||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba | – | On board USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. | ||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba | Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba | – | On board USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Triplett took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period. | ||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. Name changed to Albert Wadas. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Nashville, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Army | Battle of Tayacoba, Cuba | Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated. | |||||
| Army | Santiago, Cuba | Voluntarily left shelter and went, under fire, to the aid of a private of his company who was wounded. | |||||
| Army | Battle of El Caney, Cuba | For assisting in the rescue of the wounded while under heavy fire. | |||||
| Marine Corps | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. | |||||
| Navy | aboard USS Marblehead, Battle of Cienfuegos, Cuba | For displaying extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire. |