ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Army of Cuban Pacification Medal was established by War Department General Orders Number 96, dated May 11, 1909. EFFECTIVE DATES The Army of Cuban Pacification Medal was awarded for qualifying service between the inclusive dates of October 6, 1906, and April 1, 1909. CRITERIA On November 5, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt sent a directive to the Secretary of War that "a service medal be prepared, to be ready for delivery at the time of the evacuation of Cuba, to be awarded to the members of the Army of Cuban Pacification." Roosevelt was of the opinion that "the dispatch of the command from the United States under the condition then existing, and its service in Cuba are unique in the World's history" and should be commemorated with the issue of an appropriate medal. ORDER OF PRECEDENCE The Army of Cuban Pacification Medal was worn after the China Campaign Medal and before the Mexican Service Medal. DEVICES No devices were authorized for the Army of Cuban Pacification Medal. DESIGNER The design of the Army of Cuban Pacification Medal was set by the Quartermaster General on January 2, 1909. FIRST RECIPIENT Army of Cuban Pacification Medal No. 1 was presented to Major General Thomas H. Barry on June 1, 1909. DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM Obverse In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the coat of arms of Cuba, supported on either side by a soldier in khaki uniform; at the top of the medal, the words CUBAN PACIFICATION and at the bottom, the dates 1906-1909. The Cuban coat of arms alludes to the country occupied and the two soldiers supporting it are American troops dressed in the uniform of the period. Their stance at parade rest suggests a pacification rather than open and direct combat. The dates are the official dates of the period of the pacification. Reverse The reverse is an eagle with wings displayed, resting upon a trophy consisting of a cannon, six rifles and four standards, an Indian shield, quiver of arrows and three spears, a Cuban machete and a Sulu kris. The whole is enclosed by a circle composed of the words, UNITED STATES ARMY in the upper half, and thirteen stars in the lower half. The standards represent the five great wars of the United States as of 1905: the Revolution; the War of 1812; the Mexican War; the Spanish-American War; and the Philippine Insurrection. The weapons suggest the armed resistance offered by the opponents in those wars. The eagle is the American bald eagle and represents the United States, and the thirteen stars allude the original colonies and symbolize unity. Ribbon The ribbon to the Army of Cuban Pacification Medal consists of a central band of khaki flanked on the edges by narrow stripes of red, white and blue (with red forming the edge stripes of the ribbon). The central band of khaki alludes to the uniform of the Army of Cuban Pacification, while the red, white and blue edge stripes are the national colors. Numbering The Army of Cuban Pacification Medal was serially numbered at the six o'clock position. |