The Spanish War Service Medal was a military decoration of the United States Army which was established by an act of the U.S. Congress on July 9, 1918. The decoration recognizes those members of the Army who performed active duty during the Spanish-American War, but did not qualify for the Spanish Campaign Medal. To be awarded the Spanish War Service Medal, a service member must have served on active duty in the United States Army between the dates of April 20, 1898 and April 11, 1899. Those who were awarded the Spanish Campaign Medal were ineligible to receive the Spanish War Service Medal.