Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
Encyclopedia
The Nicaraguan Campaign Medal is a military decoration
of the United States Navy
which was authorized by Presidential Order of Woodrow Wilson
on September 22, 1913. The medal was again authorized by an act of the United States Congress
on November 8, 1929. The Nicaraguan Campaign Medal is therefore considered as two separate decorations, commonly referred to as the First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal and the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal.
who had participated in amphibious actions in Nicaragua
between July 29 and November 14, 1912. The following naval commands, and all embarked United States Marines, were eligible for the First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal:
The medal for the First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal displayed a volcano
, rising from a lake
, with the words “Nicaraguan Campaign” and the date 1912 on the edges of the medal. The medal, itself, was suspended from a red ribbon with two thick blue stripes. On the reverse of each medal was a Navy or Marine Corps crest, depending on which branch of service the recipient was a member.
The First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal was a one time only decoration and there were no devices or attachments authorized.
To be awarded the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, a service member must have either served on a United States ship, or as an embarked Marine, in the waters or land territory of Nicaragua during the aforementioned dates.
The Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal appeared as a medal suspended from a red ribbon with several white stripes. The medal displayed a woman, armed with sword
, defending two other figures with a cloak
. The medal bore the words "Second Nicaraguan Campaign" with the dates “1926 – 1930” displayed on the medal’s edges (although the medal was authorized until 1933).
The Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal was considered a separate award from the first version of the medal and Navy regulations permitted the receipt and wear of both decorations, if so authorized. Admiral
W.H.H. Sutherland, who had been in overall command of both Nicaraguan campaigns, was the first recipient of both versions of the Nicaraguan Campaign Medal.
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
which was authorized by Presidential Order of Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
on September 22, 1913. The medal was again authorized by an act of the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
on November 8, 1929. The Nicaraguan Campaign Medal is therefore considered as two separate decorations, commonly referred to as the First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal and the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal.
First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
The First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal was created to recognize those Navy and U.S. MarinesUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
who had participated in amphibious actions in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
between July 29 and November 14, 1912. The following naval commands, and all embarked United States Marines, were eligible for the First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal:
- USS AnnapolisUSS Annapolis (PG-10)The first USS Annapolis was a gunboat in the United States Navy. She was named for Annapolis, Maryland.Annapolis was laid down on 18 April 1896 at Elizabethport, New Jersey, by Lewis Nixon and his shipyard superintendent, Arthur Leopold Busch; launched on 23 December 1896; sponsored by Ms...
(gunboat) - USS CaliforniaUSS California (ACR-6)The second USS California , also referred to as "Armored Cruiser 6", and later renamed San Diego, was a United States Navy Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser....
(cruiser) - USS ClevelandUSS Cleveland (C-19)USS Cleveland was a United States Navy Denver-class protected cruiser.She was launched 28 September 1901 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, sponsored by Miss R...
(cruiser) - USS ColoradoUSS Colorado (ACR-7)The second USS Colorado , also referred to "Armored Cruiser No. 7", and later renamed Pueblo , was a United States Navy Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser....
(cruiser) - USS DenverUSS Denver (CL-16)USS Denver was the lead ship of her class of protected cruisers in the United States Navy. She was the first Navy ship named for the city of Denver, the capital of Colorado.-History:...
(cruiser) - USS Glacier (supply ship)
- USS MarylandUSS Maryland (ACR-8)The second USS Maryland , also referred to as "Armored Cruiser 8", and later renamed Frederick, was a United States Navy Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser....
(armored cruiser) - USS TacomaUSS Tacoma (CL-20)USS Tacoma was a Denver-class protected cruiser in the United States Navy during World War I. She was the second Navy ship named for the city of Tacoma, Washington....
(cruiser)
The medal for the First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal displayed a volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
, rising from a lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
, with the words “Nicaraguan Campaign” and the date 1912 on the edges of the medal. The medal, itself, was suspended from a red ribbon with two thick blue stripes. On the reverse of each medal was a Navy or Marine Corps crest, depending on which branch of service the recipient was a member.
The First Nicaraguan Campaign Medal was a one time only decoration and there were no devices or attachments authorized.
Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
The Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal was created General Orders of the Navy Department and approved by Congress to recognize naval operations in Nicaragua between the dates of August 27, 1926 and January 2, 1933.To be awarded the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, a service member must have either served on a United States ship, or as an embarked Marine, in the waters or land territory of Nicaragua during the aforementioned dates.
The Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal appeared as a medal suspended from a red ribbon with several white stripes. The medal displayed a woman, armed with sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
, defending two other figures with a cloak
Cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks are as old as human history; there has nearly always been...
. The medal bore the words "Second Nicaraguan Campaign" with the dates “1926 – 1930” displayed on the medal’s edges (although the medal was authorized until 1933).
The Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal was considered a separate award from the first version of the medal and Navy regulations permitted the receipt and wear of both decorations, if so authorized. Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
W.H.H. Sutherland, who had been in overall command of both Nicaraguan campaigns, was the first recipient of both versions of the Nicaraguan Campaign Medal.