The Army's version of the Philippine Campaign Medal was established on January 12, 1905 by order of the United States War Department.

The medal was authorized to any Army servicemen who had served in campaigns ashore, on the Philippine Islands, from February 4, 1899 to a date which was then yet to be determined.

In January 1914, the Philippine Campaign Medal was declared closed with the following the approved operations for issuance.

Such service was required to be either ashore in support of Army units or on board certain vessels assigned to the area of the Philippine Sea.

The Army and Navy versions of the Philippine Campaign Medal varied slightly in the design with the Army's version of the award displaying a bronze medallion with the words "Philippine Insurrection" centered above the year numeral 1898 and below a palm tree and Roman lamp.