Created by the Royal Decree of January 26, 1898, this medal was awarded to members of the Spanish Armed Forces who served in the later Phil. Campaigns including those against the Americans during the Spanish-American War.
On the obverse is present a badge in the shape of a shield with the bust of the young King Alfonso XIII, who must have been around 13 years old, in the center and facing the left. Above the head is the incription ALFONSO XIII and below the neck are the words "AL EJERCITO FILIPINAS." This inscription has nothing to do with the family of ex-President and now ex-Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, but directly translates as “To the Philippine Army” as it focused to reward specifically the army in the Philippines. The badge is suspended from a gilt wreath that is attached to an elongated loop. On the reverse is the inscription VALOR / DISCIPLINA / LEALTAD. The years 1896-1898 is shown in raised letters.
This medal is listed as a single variant as H-54.On the obverse is present a badge in the shape of a shield with the bust of the young King Alfonso XIII, who must have been around 13 years old, in the center and facing the left. Above the head is the incription ALFONSO XIII and below the neck are the words "AL EJERCITO FILIPINAS." This inscription has nothing to do with the family of ex-President and now ex-Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, but directly translates as “To the Philippine Army” as it focused to reward specifically the army in the Philippines. The badge is suspended from a gilt wreath that is attached to an elongated loop. On the reverse is the inscription VALOR / DISCIPLINA / LEALTAD. The years 1896-1898 is shown in raised letters.
This medal has 3 variants, one made by the prominent Castells group of Spanish engravers, which is usually found at the bottom left of the reverse, this one made by Medina whose name is found on the bottom right, and a 3rd one made by an unknown manufacturer. It is interesting to note that some medals come with "campaign bars" that shows the area or the campaign the recipient of the medal served during the war...Jolo, Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao.
This medal is listed as a single variant as H-54.