The only device authorized to the Spanish Campaign Medal was the Citation Star and then only for U.S. Army recipients of the decoration.

The Army version of the Spanish Campaign Medal was established on 12 January 1905.

It was awarded for military service performed between 11 May and 16 August 1898 in the geographical regions of either Cuba, Puerto Rico, or the Philippine Islands.

[2] The Navy version of the Spanish Campaign Medal was created on 27 June 1908 and issued to any man of either the Navy or Marine Corps who had served in Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Philippine waters between 21 April and 16 August 1898 on select ships.

In 1913, the Navy discontinued the award of the West Indies Campaign Medal and extended the criteria of the Spanish Campaign Medal to any man of the Navy or Marine Corps who had served on active duty during the Spanish–American War.