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 resolution authorized the Secretary of the Navy to have produced bronze medals to commemorate naval engagements in the West Indies and on the shores of Cuba during the Spanish–American War.

The medal was to be presented to the officers and men of the United States Navy and Marine Corps who participated in engagements and battles that were deemed to be of sufficient importance to merit their commemoration.

It depicts a Navy officer, Sailor, and Marine standing upon a block identifying the action for which the medal was awarded.

[6] Campaign clasps or engagement bars were authorized for wear on the ribbon, showing various battles and the ship name which had participated.