A very scarce and original Sampson Medal. As you can see it was awarded to a sailor abord the USS Cincinnati (C-7).
The medal was awarded to those personnel who served on ships in the fleet of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson during combat operations in the waters of the West Indies and Cuba. The Sampson Medal was also known as the West Indies Naval Campaign Medal.
In 1898, the USS Cincinnati (C-7) was involved in the Spanish-American War, including the blockade of Havana, Cuba, and the Battle of Fajardo.
