Star of the West Medal, 1903

Star of the West Medal, 1903

The Star of the West medal was first awarded in 1893 by Dr. Benjamin H. Teague to the best drilled cadet. It was called The Star of the West after the Union ship that Citadel cadets fired on from Fort Sumter in January 1861. The original medal, passed down by cadets from year to year, contained a piece of wood from the hull of the ship.

John Francis O'Mara, Class of 1904, won the Star of the West in 1903. Besides being given ownership of the original medal for one year, he was also given this smaller medal , which was a copy of the original.

The gold medal has a star in the center, which is supposed to mimic the wooden star of the original. The star is partially encircled by a laurel wreath. Above the star are the words "Presented To Citadel Cadets" and below the words "By B. H. Teague Aiken, S.C. July 8th 1893." The back of the medal is engraved with "J.F. O'Mara 1903."

2009.26

The Citadel Archives and Museum

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English

Physical Object

https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/1555

Charleston (S. C.)

Metal

2 x 2 cm