Spanish American War group to Rasmus Rasmussen, 16th US Infantry Regiment. The Society of Santiago and Society of the Army of the Philippines badges are both engraved with Rasmussen's name on the reverse. The Spanish Campaign Medal is rim numbered No. 2687, which is confirmed in National Archives records as issued to Rasmussen in May, 1908 while he was serving with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Clark, Texas. He served as a Private in the 16th Infantry in Cuba during the Spanish American War and as a Sergeant in the Philippine Insurrection. (The location of his Philippine Campaign Medal No. 8008 is sadly unknown.)
The 16th Infantry Regiment, part of the First Division under General Kent, was heavily engaged at San Juan Hill, losing a total of 129 officers and men killed or wounded out of a total of approximately 679 men engaged.
All three medals are in good condition. All ribbons appear to be original and are also in good to excellent condition with the exception of some fraying to the Santiago ribbon.
Accompanying research includes color scans of the Spanish Campaign Medal cards and a photocopy of his Regular Army enlistment papers, all from the National Archives. (Note that "Serial number (2799)" on the index card refers to an AGO administrative number as is not the actual medal number.) Also included is a copy from the 1932 Retired List which summarizes Rasmussen's service as an enlisted man and officer from 1895 to 1923. Lt. Rasmussen died in 1959 and is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno.