At the time of the Spanish American War, official dog tags were not issued. Of course, the concern of identification if someone fell in battle was a concern to the soldiers and their families. Below are three of the many privately obtained dog tags, which came in many styles and varieties.
The dog tags:
The first (immediately below) is a dog tag that was used during the Spanish American War. This particular dog tag was used by Aubrey L. Whetton, of the 1st Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Company E. The dog tag is somewhat fancy, with a carved and decorative edge.
The next examples
are other privatelt purchased dogtags. The example at left belonged to
Norman P. Tripp of the 6th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, Co. F. The
medal reads "Co. F, 6th Ohio Vol. Inf., Spanish-American War."
Around the left perimeter is "N. P. Tripp" and on the right perimeter is
"June 1898." In June of 1898, the regiment was in Camp Thomas, Georgia
(medal image contributed by Brad Lacey). The example at right belonged
to James L. Powers from Concord, Massachusetts, who served with the 6th Massachusetts in Puerto
Rico. The dogtag reads "Ja s. L. Powers Co. I
6th Mass. Inf. U.S.V. Concord.
Mass."(image courtest of Ricardo R. Medina).
