Best Moment
When the USS Nashville was launched at Newport News, Virginia, on October 19, 1895, Baker was a member of the original crew, making him, in Navy parlance, a "plankowner." The Nashville would have the distinction of firing the first shot in the Spanish-American War. In April of 1898 the Nashville intercepted the Spanish vessel Bonaventure in the waters off Key West. Salvos from the Nashville damaged the Spanish ship, causing it to heave to and surrender. Mr. Baker was given the honor of "hauling down the colors" on the captured vessel. The Nashville then proceede to join with the USS Marblehead on blockade duty at the entrance to the harbor at Cienfuegos, Cuba. In May the War Department decided to disrupt communications between the blockaded Spanish ships and the homeland by cutting the transatlantic telegraph cables leading from the harbor. In order to accomplish this task it would be necessary to launch small, shallow-draft boats from the Marblehead and Nashville. These boats would maneuver close enough to the shore so that the cables could be seen on the bottom, reached with grappling hooks, hauled to the surface and into boats where 150 foot sections would be cut from them. These sections would then be taken to and sunk in deeper water, thereby eliminating the possibility that they could be repaired. The cables were as thick as a man's wrist, and it was estimated that to sut through each cable twice would take approximately 30 minutes. All the while the men in the open boats would be easy targets for rifle fire from Spanish soldiers in the harbor lighthouse, cable house, and entrenched in rifle pits along the shore. The Marblehead and Nashville provided a covering barrage, destroying the lighthouse in the process, but the rifle fire from on shore was intense enough to inflict heavy casualties on the men in the boats. After two of the three cables had been cut, making the mission a success, the captain of the Marblehead ordered the boats to withdraw. The 49 sailors and marines who had volunteered for the mission all received the Medal of Honor. Benjamin F. Baker was the coxswain of the boat from the Nashville. After Spain surrendered the Nashville was deployed to the Pacific Fleet to be part of the naval force supporting the grounds troops fighting in the Philippine insurrection. Following that it transported a detachment of 30 marines to China to reinforce the garrison in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion. Obviously Baker's combat experience was significant.
Description The China Relief Expedition was the United States military term for the rescue of diplomatic personnel, and other United States citizens, in the wake of the Boxer Rebellion. The China Relief ExpeditioThe China Relief Expedition was the United States military term for the rescue of diplomatic personnel, and other United States citizens, in the wake of the Boxer Rebellion. The China Relief Expedition was a multi-national effort and the United State... More
Criteria The China Relief Expedition Medal was awarded to Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served ashore with the China Relief Expedition between May 24, 1900, and May 27, 1901, or who were assigned to cert... The China Relief Expedition Medal was awarded to Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served ashore with the China Relief Expedition between May 24, 1900, and May 27, 1901, or who were assigned to certain designated ships in support of the China Relief Expedition. MoreHide
Criteria The Sampson Medal was first authorized by a Joint resolution of the United States Congress on March 3, 1901. The resolution authorized the Secretary of the Navy to have produced bronze medals to comme... The Sampson Medal was first authorized by a Joint resolution of the United States Congress on March 3, 1901. 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. MoreHide
Comments Citation:
"On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Baker set an example of extraordinary bravery a... Citation:
"On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Baker set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action." MoreHide
Criteria The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899,... The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899, to servicemen who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. The Spanish War Service Medal was originally intended for members of the National Guard mobilized during the Spanish-American War but who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. MoreHide
Description Spanish Navy ships had repeatedly eluded American pursuers and delivered troops and supplies to Cuba. When it was discovered that undersea telegraph cables provided the port of Cienfuegos with vital Spanish Navy ships had repeatedly eluded American pursuers and delivered troops and supplies to Cuba. When it was discovered that undersea telegraph cables provided the port of Cienfuegos with vital communications.... More
Memories Medal of Honor Citation: On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Medal of Honor Citation: On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Baker set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action .... More
When the USS Nashville was launched at Newport News, Virginia, on October 19, 1895, Baker was a member of the original crew, making him, in Navy parlance, a "plankowner." The Nashville would have the distinction of firing the first shot in the Spanish-American War. In April of 1898 the Nashville intercepted the Spanish vessel Bonaventure in the waters off Key West. Salvos from the Nashville damaged the Spanish ship, causing it to heave to and surrender. Mr. Baker was given the honor of "hauling down the colors" on the captured vessel. The Nashville then proceede to join with the USS Marblehead on blockade duty at the entrance to the harbor at Cienfuegos, Cuba. In May the War Department decided to disrupt communications between the blockaded Spanish ships and the homeland by cutting the transatlantic telegraph cables leading from the harbor. In order to accomplish this task it would be necessary to launch small, shallow-draft boats from the Marblehead and Nashville. These boats would maneuver close enough to the shore so that the cables could be seen on the bottom, reached with grappling hooks, hauled to the surface and into boats where 150 foot sections would be cut from them. These sections would then be taken to and sunk in deeper water, thereby eliminating the possibility that they could be repaired. The cables were as thick as a man's wrist, and it was estimated that to sut through each cable twice would take approximately 30 minutes. All the while the men in the open boats would be easy targets for rifle fire from Spanish soldiers in the harbor lighthouse, cable house, and entrenched in rifle pits along the shore. The Marblehead and Nashville provided a covering barrage, destroying the lighthouse in the process, but the rifle fire from on shore was intense enough to inflict heavy casualties on the men in the boats. After two of the three cables had been cut, making the mission a success, the captain of the Marblehead ordered the boats to withdraw. The 49 sailors and marines who had volunteered for the mission all received the Medal of Honor. Benjamin F. Baker was the coxswain of the boat from the Nashville. After Spain surrendered the Nashville was deployed to the Pacific Fleet to be part of the naval force supporting the grounds troops fighting in the Philippine insurrection. Following that it transported a detachment of 30 marines to China to reinforce the garrison in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion. Obviously Baker's combat experience was significant.
Plankowner