Battle of Manila Bay Medal (Dewey Medal)

BACK DEVICE(s) none

Description:

1. Authorized by Act of Congress on June 3, 1898.
2.  The medal was created to recognize the forces of the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps who participated in the Battle of Manila Bay.
3. To be awarded the Dewey Medal, a service member must have served on one of the following naval vessels on May 1, 1898: 
   USS Baltimore
   USS Boston
   USS Concord
   USRC McCulloch
   USS Olympia
   USS Petrel
   USS Raleigh
   
4. There were 1,848 men of the Navy and Marine Corps eligible for the Medal.
5. Because it recognized a single battle in a single campaign, the Dewey Medal was a commemorative medal.
6. When worn on a military uniform the Dewey Medal was considered senior to the Sampson Medal, although there were no individuals who received both medals.
7. Only 1,825 medals were struck.

Background:

1. The Medal
   1. OBVERSE
      1. The medal features a raised image profile bust of Commodore George Dewey.
      2. The text on the left and right of Dewey reads "The gift of the people of the United States to the officers and men of the Asiatic Squadron under the command of Commodore George Dewey."
      3. Below the words is a small vertical anchor encircled with a wreath.
      4. Under the anchor is a five pointed star. 
   2. REVERSE
      1. The reverse of the medal has a raised image of a bare-chested sailor, sitting on a gun barrel with a furled flag in his lap.
      2. The text around the edge reads "In memory of the Victory of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898."
      3. Below the image is a tablet for the stamped name of the ship
   3. RIBBON
      The depiction on the ribbon bar is an eagle with outspread wings.  A sprig of laurel is to the left and the hilt of a sword is on the right.
      The ribbon is composed of stripes as follows 11/32" Ultramarine Blue, 5/8" Yellow, 11/32" Ultramarine Blue.
   4. DEVICE(s)
      This was a one-time only decoration and there were no devices or campaign stars authorized to the medal.
2. Information from
   BUPERS A 10-3 Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, and Badges of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, 1861-1948
   Naval History and Heritage Command
   The Call of Duty : Military Awards and Decorations of the United States of America by John E. Strandberg
   Ribbon, Dewey Medal MIL-DTL-11589/43G 23 August 2021