9th Regiment, Infantry
New York Volunteers

Spanish American War

9th Regiment, N.Y. Service Medals

Below are some Service Medals that were earned by some of the member of the 9th Regiment, N.Y. Vols.
Not all the men earned or even applied for the following medals.

Unknown 9th NY Medal

Here is an unknown 5 Years medal from the 9th New York National Guard. I'm not sure what time frame that this medal is from. The two symbols on either side of the 9 are Corps insignias. The insignias on the left stands for the 5th Corps, which the 9th (aka 83 NY) NYNG was a member of during the Civil War. The symbol on the right stands for the 3rd Corps, which the 9th NY was a member of during the Spanish American War. The medal was made by Dieges & Clust and is 35 mm tall. (thanks to Terry for the photo)

Spanish War Service Medal

 The above medal, is the actual one awarded to Corporal John J. McCarthy of Company I, 9th Regiment, Infantry New York Volunteer. He served with the 9th N.Y. from May 2, 1898 until his muster out on November 15, 1898.

The Medal History:
The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899, to servicemen who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. The Spanish War Service Medal was originally intended for members of the National Guard mobilized during the Spanish-American War but who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal.

The Spanish War Service Medal was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 193, 77th Congress) on July 9, 1918.

The front of the Spanish War Service Medal was designed by Colonel John R. M. Taylor, and the reverse was designed by Rudolf Freund of Bailey, Banks & Biddle. The medal was sculpted by John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint.

The Front: In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a sheathed Roman sword is shown hanging on a tablet upon which is inscribed FOR SERVICE IN THE SPANISH WAR. The tablet is surrounded by a laurel wreath contained within the raised edge of the medal. The Roman sword symbolizes war or military strength; its being sheathed indicates National Guard service within the United States, rather than service in actual combat. The use of this sword thus symbolizes service under arms and a readiness to fight. The wreath represents achievement. The form of the tablet resembles the one employed for the discharge certificates of Roman legionaries. These bronze or lead certificates were nailed up in the house of the recipients.

The Reverse: In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the Coat of Arms of the United States with a scroll below, surrounded by a wreath displaying crossed rifles (on the left); crossed sabers (on the right), and crossed cannon (beneath). The Arms of the United States denote service to the United States government (as opposed to purely state service). The crossed rifles, sabers, and cannon allude to the combat arms (infantry, cavalry and artillery). The laurel wreath represents achievement and alludes to the distinction with which the National Guard members served during this period.

The ribbon to the Spanish War Service Medal consists of a field of green with a gold stripe inside each edge. Green is symbolic of freedom while gold alludes to virtue; thus the colors of this ribbon refer to civic virtue by serving the government in the cause of freedom.

Numbering: This medal was serially numbered (without prefix) at the six o'clock position on its rim.

State of New York Volunteer Medal

This medal was awarded to volunteers from the state of New York who served in the Spanish American War and also part of the Philippine American War. Apparently, the medal was given to all volunteers, including army and naval militia. The obverse of the medal shows an army volunteer, in full gear, advancing on the foe. The reverse reads "Awarded by the State of New York To One Who Served the Nation With Honor 1898-1899-1900". (I'm still looking for more information about this medal, stay tuned...)

New York City Spanish American War 25th Anniversary Medal

Description
The Front: Is a female standing with outstretched arms with a lamp in her right hand and a sword in the left. The shields at her  sides are inscribed with names of military camps (36 camps in all are named). To the sides and behind her head is written "VOLUNTEERS".

The Reverse: Stylized silhouette of eagle with soldier to left and sailor to right. Above the eagles head is small design of the USWV medal. Cartouche with presentation inscription: "PRESENTED TO (non inscribed) IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE BY THE CITY OF NEW YORK ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN JOHN F. HYLAN - MAYOR, CHARLES L. CRAIG - COMPTROLLER, MURRAY HULBERT - PRE. ED. OF ALDERMAN".

The medal is made of Bronze and the size is 2 11/16" made by Whitehead - Hoag.

(I'm also looking for more information about this medal too...)

8th New York Volunteers 1898 Chickamauga Medal

Here is a medal from the 8th N.Y. Volunteers. I know this medal has nothing to do with the 9th N.Y. but if the 8th made this medal, there's a chance that the 9th might have made a similar medal. The medal has an number "8" in the center, surrounded by a ring that has "Spanish War Veterans" written on it. The rest of the medal, starting at the 9 o'clock position going clockwise is N, Y, V (New York Volunteer), and the bottom has the date 1898. The top bar has 18 * CHICKAMAUGA* 98. The Chickamauga stands for Camp Thomas, in Chickamauga, Georgia were the 8th N.Y. was training for the war. On the reverse is stamped 254. (again, I know little about this medal and I'm not sure if the 9th made a similar medal. Please let me know if you can help me out).