History

The Cardenas Medal of Honor was authorized by a Joint Resolution of Congress on May 3, 1900, to reward Officers and crewmembers of the Revenue Cutter Hudson for gallantry in action demonstrated while towing a disabled ship to safety in the midst of battle at the Cardenas Harbor in Cuba on May 11, 1898. The Cardenas Medal of Honor was the first award authorized solely for members of the Coast Guard, as the USRC Hudson and other ships employed by the Revenue Cutter service later became the Coast Guard. The Medal was awarded in gold to First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb who commanded the USRC Hudson, in silver to Newcomb's Officers onboard the Hudson, and in bronze to other enlisted personnel serving onboard the Hudson.

The Medal was initially awarded as a table medal not suitable for wear but later a smaller version of the Medal suspended from a top brooch inscribed with "CARDENAS" was manufactured for wear by a ribbon.