The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-30

In expectation of ceremonial preSen-
tation of part Of the medals won IN
the late war with Spain the Philadelphia
mint is now going right ahead with the
work of fashioning the several thousand
medals to be given to the meritorious and
the valorous of our navy during the CAM
paign in the West Indies of 1898 These
medals. as the public are aware. are to
commemorate participation in certain ma
val engagements, principally on the coast
of Cuba. and to distinguish those officers
and men whose specially meritorious SER
vice. other than in battle, is particularly
deserving OF recognition. From the man
behind the gun to the man before the
blazing furnace in the treroom. every
one on a ship in battle will receive bat
tie medal. and. if in more than one en-
gagement. an added bar. instead of an
other medal for each additional action.
the bar to bear the name and date of the
subsequent fight. For especially merito-
rious conduct" such. for instance. as
Lieutenant Victor Blues personal recon-
noisSance af Santiago. Hohsous gallant
attempt to block that harbor's mouth
and certain very hazardous service in
rescuing the wounded Spanards from
their blazing ships, distinctive medal
was voted by the resolution of congress
providing for all these decorations-a
medal which, in our service. is to repre-
sent the hard-won Victoria Cross of the
English service.
The diverse of the battle medal viii
bear the head of the commander in chief
of the whole campaign encirced by the
inscription: It. $. Naval Campaign in
the West Indies $685." While the reverse
will typify the men behind the guuS-the
young officers and the youth of the blue
jackets and the marines. The three fig
ureS are shown in the fighting top of
battle ship. The blue jacket. who has
just moved his body from the shoulder
piece of his still smoking one FOUNDER.
is watching the result of his last few
shots. while the young officer. catching
sight Of chance for the rifle, is pointing
to an opening for the alert marine. In
the distance, over the rim of the fighting
top. are seen the Brooklyn and the Texas,
partly clouded in their own gun smoke,
while against the extreme left shore line
lies the blazing wreck of a Spanish craft.
The sea. in the middle distance. is dashed
with plunge of hostile shot. The eNurge
Of the reverse of the medal will bear the
name and date of battle and the name of
the engag ing ship on which the recipient
was at the time, and on the fiat edge will
be stamped the recipients name and
rating. This medal will be hung Ivy a
heavy silk ribbon of three equal vertical
stripes of red blue-red. typifying valor
and fidelity.
The specially meritorious service
medal will be a wreath-encircled star. The
wreath will be of laurel ana the star viii
bear in prominent relief the badge of the
service-the anchor.
The bands that bind the wreath VIII
bear the descriptive titles of the decor
alton, and encircling the anchor Will be
the campaign designation. On the plain
reverse side of the medal will be stamped
the name of the rank or rating OF
| the recipient, together with brief state
| ment of the service for which the medal
| was given. The ribbon in this case will
| be red or crimson, and will fail straight
down behind the medal so that the color
| will be shown through the openings be-