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REF Thread: Sampson Medal (West Indies Naval Campaign Medal, 1898)


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stratasfan
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To view many original Sampson medals, click here to view the "SAMPSON MEDAL SHOWCASE" thread.

 

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The act of 3 March 1901, provides: "that the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause to be struck bronze medals commemorative of the naval and other engagements in the waters of the West Indies and on the shores of Cuba during the War with Spain, and to distribute the same to the officers and men of the Navy and Marine Corps who participate in any of said engagements deemed by him of sufficient importance to deserve commemoration."

 

The commemorative medal was issued to members of the Navy and Marine Corps who took part in West Indies naval operations from April 27 to August 14, 1898.

 

[Historical note: The front was designed by Charles E. Barber and shows a bust of Admiral William Sampson. The back was designed by George T. Morgan. At the top of the ribbon is a brooch pin with the name of the recipient's ship. Additional matching engagement bars were authorized and mounted on the ribbon. The medal was issued for 47 engagements or skirmishes and some were awarded with six or seven engagement bars. The recipient's name is engraved on the lower rim of the medal, this being one of only two medals officially issued named to a recipient.]

Source: 1948, 1953 U.S. Navy Awards Manual

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A couple Sampsons...I am on a Sampson kick lately...these are the only 2 but I just can't stay away...

 

The first is one in my possession, un named Type III, USS Marblehead. I actually picked up a Type II case to house it in although it doesn't fit, at least it's out of the dust and elements.

 

Second is in the mail enroute..this is the picture from the auction (Stephen Baker). A nice Type III 6 bar USS New York named to Stephen J. Ahern, Lds. The bars are: Matanzas, 27 April; San Juan, 12 May; Santiago, 6 Jun; Santiago, 16 June; Santiago, 2 July; and Santiago, 4 July

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  • 1 year later...
usmcraidergirl

Okay, okay. I know. USMCRaiderGirl buying a Navy medal. :( But, for some time I've really wanted to have a Sampson Medal in my collection.

 

Thing is, I don't collect medals - as those who know me know, I pretty much exclusively stick with valor uniform groupings for the USMC and Navy. However, the below piece came along and well I figured it would be a perfect fit for my one (and only) West Indies / Sampson....

 

It is named on the rim to: John Stokes who at this time was a Master at Arms 1st Class. He received the Medal of Honor in 1899 when he was a Chief Master at Arms. His Medal of Honor citation reads:

 

"On board the U.S.S. New York off the coast of Jamaica, 31 March 1899. Showing gallant conduct, Stokes jumped overboard and assisted in the rescue of Peter Mahoney, watertender, U.S. Navy."

 

Any thoughts or info on this vet guys? (And, if anyone happens to come across a picture of this guy, please let me know. I've searched FOREVER over the past few days to find one.)

 

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  • 1 year later...

The Marine served ashore in the 1st Battalion of Marines commanded by Col Huntington at Guantanamo. The medals to those men have blank top suspension bars.

 

The cases for these medals are very scarce and sought after. They sell for as much as $400 by themselves. I think the value of this fine piece is a minimum of $3750 and as much as $4500. So much for the economic times we live in.

Semper Fi......Bobgee

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  • 2 months later...
  • 7 months later...

The Walter Johnson Sampson Medal is a phase III issue, which is unusual for the USS Newark. Most of the Sampson Medals to this ship are phase I. Most likely the medal was issued at the same time at the Spanish Campaign Medal, after 1921. It will be difficult to research the recipient because of the common name, but there should be a service file for him in St. Louis.

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  • 3 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...
Garth Thompson

An ebay seller is busting up a really exceptional Spanish American medal group to DANIEL DUNCAN who won the Navy Cross as a mine gunner on the USS Baltimore in WW1. Here is the Samson Medal:

 

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  • 2 months later...
Garth Thompson

Just got this one today, it is a phase II medal for the USS Yankton to MATTHEW H LOUGH MACH 2 c. The Yankton was a converted yacht which was purchased by the US Navy. The ship was originally the Penelope from Scotland built in 1893. The navy renamed her the Yankton. The commissioning date is May 16, 1898. The ship only saw one action, Cape Muno June 29. The crew was 8 officers and 75 men. All were present at Cape Muno. The 1986 Planchet Press Sampson Medal book indicates that no Yankton medals had been observed but that was a long time ago and I'm sure some have surfaced.

Garth

 

Obverse

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Reverse

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  • 4 weeks later...

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The planchet of this medal looks 100% correct, with proper phase 1 impressed naming. However, the Sampson for the USS Hist was authorized in phase 1 and no changes were authorized in phase 3. As such, it should have a "chain link" suspension. But the medal in the eBay auction has a phase 3 type suspension. However the Manzanillo bars all have correct dates on the back. The problem is that they should be in a chain link configuration.

 

So I'm wondering how a proper phase 1 medal ends up with a phase 3 suspension? I'm not suggesting that the medal has been monkeyed with, just that it's not as is should be, based upon what's currently known about Sampson Medals. However I've seen other anomalies that turned out to be correct after further research. But I don't know that I'd bid over $1000 on a medal that wasn't 100% correct...

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  • 3 weeks later...
Javelin4life said:

Hello everyone,

 

I was browsing ebay and I came across a seller who has 5 different sampson variations for sale. Unless I'm naive, I'm skeptical about the condition of these medals :think: To me they look a little too clean and good condition to be items that are near 100 years old

 

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Good eye....fake.

Aside from the fact that it looks fake overall, some things to key on in the future are the faked aging or added patina. Additionally, the ribbon is a new, when compared to period ribbon you will see the weave is different, the look and feel are more synthetic or mixed in new ribbon. The attachment to the top bar is stitched poorly and is not correct. The ring on the bottom engagement bar is too large in diameter, the hole should be smaller on the suspension ring on the planchet as well. If nothing else this seller provides a good learning tool for how to spot a fake.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Just got this grouping in the mail today and had to share it .....

 

Phase I Sampson impressed to William K. Nash, Machinist 2d Class. USS Marblehead, Cinfuegos May 11 reverse and Guantanamo engagement bar. Additionally there are 2 United Spanish Veterans Medals with 2 miniature buttons of the same. I don't really know much about these so if there is any significance, the reverse of the suspension bar of one is numbered, and the bottom suspension of the other is numbered.

 

There is one document dated 1 Apr 1895 appointing him acting Oiler on the USS Dolphin with a handwritten note across the document "cancelled July 25". The second document is an appointment as a Machinist 2d Class USS Marblehead dated November 2, 1897. Written in red across the left side is USS Marblehead at sea May 17-98 renewed for six months from May 2 1898, and signed by the commanding officer. The third document is also from the Marblehead dated October 7th 1898 appointing Mr. Nash as a Machinist 1st Class. The last document is a Petty Officer's Appointment dated October 8th 1898.

 

Initially, when comparing the ship bar lettering of this one to the examples in Call of Duty, I noticed he USS on the bars in the book are slightly different than this example. These look more similar to the Phase II and III lettering on the examples I have. The reverse pin and catch on mine looks the same as the Phase II I have but the engagement bar and ship bar on this one appear to be correct. I have not COL Gleim's Medal Letters yet for any mention of makers and potential differences in the lettering.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

This is hanging out on eBay. My gut is that it is re-ribboned from a Phase III USS Abarenda as a Phase I. Abarenda was not added until Phase III, and the reverse Guantanamo is correct for the ship; the stitching on the reverse of the ship bar as well as the fact that it can't be a legit Phase I bring me there. I also feel like it is a Mint strike (later as it is not named) but looks like a good planchet. Would like your thoughts....I am not interested but someone who wants to get in on a Sampson might be, and thought vetting it here would be best...

 

 

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Sal-

Thought for sure it was the same one! How many of these can be kicking around.

Other than not being named, I see nothing wrong with this medal. It's not Phase I. Phase I catches were wire. This is the correct flat metal open catch, which is correct for a Phase II or III (and this ship would be a Phase III). Ribbon and stitching look fine to me. Now, it appears to be a later strike (not having the sculptor, Charles Barber "B" hallmark on the front).

It would appear to be a slightly later strike, which probably would have been intended to be later issued (and named) as a replacement, or for someone who didn't get their original issued medal.

So, I think it's a nice Sampson. But, being unissued/un-named, it would be worth FAR less than a named example. But for this small ship, finding a named example may not be likely.

Kurt

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Sal-

Thought for sure it was the same one! How many of these can be kicking around.

Other than not being named, I see nothing wrong with this medal. It's not Phase I. Phase I catches were wire. This is the correct flat metal open catch, which is correct for a Phase II or III (and this ship would be a Phase III). Ribbon and stitching look fine to me. Now, it appears to be a later strike (not having the sculptor, Charles Barber "B" hallmark on the front).

It would appear to be a slightly later strike, which probably would have been intended to be later issued (and named) as a replacement, or for someone who didn't get their original issued medal.

So, I think it's a nice Sampson. But, being unissued/un-named, it would be worth FAR less than a named example. But for this small ship, finding a named example may not be likely.

Kurt

Kurt....thank you, that's kind of what I was trying to say but not getting it out the right way...so great clarification. The reason I asked about being a Mint strike is because the one I recently sold was so wanted to get some point of reference. Being a Phase III ship, is the Phase II type suspension something the owner might have done or would it be issued/purchased that way? I have a Phase III un named Marblehead with the tyical Phase III suspension....just curious.

I appreciate your input, we have a fellow young forum member interested in Sampsons, and I thought this was a nice example in a good price range to get him started...so wanted to get the collective thoughts for his and other member's benefits.

Tony

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Not named=not original, other than that it looks nice. It would be a worthy place holder.

Not "original first issue", but it is "original" as in procured by the USN (i.e., not a later "Studley" restrike or some other unauthorized restrike).

Kurt

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Not named=not original, other than that it looks nice. It would be a worthy place holder.

US Mint strikes issued un-named are original but not initial issues for the Phase...The lack of a name or the B or M hallmark does not mean the medal is not authentic. However, if the goal is an issued traceable medal, then this one, while authentic, does not fit the bill. " The West Indies Naval Campaign of 1898, The Sampson Medal, The Ships and The Men" by Barry C. Weaver, Albert F. Gleim and Danny J. Farek validates this in the chart below

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  • 4 months later...

Hello folks. I am new here and I thought I would share a few Items.

 

This is perhaps my favorite. Here are a pair of medals That belonged to Chief Gunners Mate

James W Fischer.

He was a 30 yr active duty man serving from 1883-1913 and was called back in 1917-1919 to serve as a Navy recruiter in Newark NJ. He was a German immigrant born in 1861 and seems to have joined the Atlantic Squadron while it was in Europe in 1883.

 

He served upon many ships including the USS Bancroft a gunboat during the Spanish American War for which he was awarded the Sampson medal. He took part in a shore landing party that saw action in Cuba as indicated in his hand written letter to the Navy Dept. His Skipper aboard the USS Bancroft was commander Richardson Clover who later became secratary of the Navy. He didn't get the medal until June of 1907. He received a Spanish campaign medal in 1913. His other awards include 4 GCM the first being in 1890 as indicated by his records and the engraving on the gcm planchet. He was also awarded the WWI victory medal. These were all of his awards as indicated in his extensive military file of which I have copies.

 

I have his GCM with bars, Sampson medal and ribbon bar. Sadly the Spanish Campaign medal rim no 4549 is missing.

 

Chief Fischer also served for along time as a gunnery instructor aboard the USS Hartford at the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland. It was here at that time that he finally received his medals.

 

His GCM is engrave for the USS Lancaster Jan 3rd 1890. I believe it was still a sailing ship at the time. It seems that Chief Fisher for the most part was a model sailor except for a bout with Alcohol in the 1898-1899 period. Check out his medals!

 

The Sampson medal is engraved James W. Fischer CGM and it has a rather rare Isle of Pines July 2nd reverse. The ribbons/drapes on both medals are original to the medals as far as I can tell.

 

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