GENERAL HISTORY
When Russia moved into Korea and occupied Manchuria, the Japanese government reacted by attacking Russian warships at Chemulpo and Port Arthur (February 8th, 1904). The Japanese Navy blockaded Russia's Asiatic ports. In addition, ground troops drove the Russians out of Korea while another Japanese Army fought its way up the Liaotung peninsula.

On May 27th and 28th 1905, Admiral Togo destroyed the Russian Baltic fleet in two separate engagements in the straits of Tsushima. The United States got involved and manage to settle a truce ending with Japan recieving half of Sakhalin, bases in Liaotung and recognition of Japan's rights in Korea.


SPECIFIC DETAILS


The medal consists of 30 mm of lighr gilded bronze. the front bears the Navy and Army flags, crossed, with the Crysanthemum crest above and the Pawlonia crest below. The back of the medal has a Japanese shield inscribed vertically with small characters that read "Meiji 37-8 years war". Te shield lies within a wreath of a palm branch (left) and a laural branch (right).

The suspender has a swivel and the attached bar has the four chacters that read "War medal". The ribbon measures 37 mm in watered silk blue with a 9 mm dark blue center (to represent naval victories) and 3 mm black edges.

The case is made from wood with a red velvet interior, bearing gold characters.