Description:

William McKinley Signed Naval Appointment Rewarding Spanish-American War Heroism

A naval appointment signed by 25th U.S. President William McKinley (1843-1901) as "William McKinley" at center right. Issued from Washington, D.C. on March 5, 1901. Partly handwritten and partly printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on a large sheet of parchment. Also co-signed by U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long (1838-1915) as "John D Long" at center left. (The "J" of "John" is smeared.) Docketed along the left edge, and bearing an embossed blue "Department of the Navy" seal at center bottom, with isolated wear to the sawtooth edges. Expected gentle folds and a few wrinkles, with minor grubbiness along the top and bottom edges, else near fine. 15.625" x 19.125." Property of the Chrysler Museum of Art, Sold to Benefit Museum Acquisitions. Formerly a Gift of Mrs. Albert C. Dillingham (née Grace G. Gilmore.)

President William McKinley conferred "two numbers in rank on the list of Lieutenant Commanders in the Navy for Eminent and Cons[p]icuous Conduct in Battle" upon Arthur Caldwell Dillingham (1848-1925), a career naval officer. The promotion became effective after February 11, 1901.

Albert Caldwell Dillingham had graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1870; he would retire from the service in 1910 with the rank of rear admiral. McKinley's citation was awarded while Dillingham, a lieutenant aboard the "U.S.S. Nashville," a 1,300 long ton gunboat, was in temporary command of the vessel during the first days of the Spanish-American War. On May 11, 1898, Dillingham deliberately maneuvered the "Nashville" to protect smaller boats busily engaged in telegraph cable-cutting operations outside of Cienfuegos, Cuba. This heroic action under heavy infantry fire led to Dillingham's award.

In 1904-1905, Dillingham famously protected the Dominican Republic against hostile creditors by erecting a defensive barricade around the city of Puerto Plata. The impetus behind Dillingham's actions would be articulated by President Teddy Roosevelt in the Roosevelt Corollary of the Monroe Doctrine. Dillingham was recalled from retirement and pressed into active duty during World War I. He was awarded the Navy Cross in recognition for his expert reorganization of a new Naval Operating Base at Hampton Roads, Virginia.

William McKinley served as president between 1897 and his assassination in 1901. Long served as Secretary of the Navy from 1897-1902.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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