Battle of Santiago de Cuba fully and believed that Schley contributed little to the battle's outcome. Sampson died in 1902 and Schley in 1911, but the controversy left an internecine struggle within the Navy that, in some ways, tarnished the Navy's image after what had otherwise seemed a glorious naval victory. The end of the Spanish–American War was in many ways a new beginning for the U.S. Navy and marked a watershed moment in American and Spanish history. The defeat of the Spanish Navy gave the United States uncontested control of the seas surrounding Cuba. With resupply of the Spanish garrison nearly impossible, Spain ultimately
Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba all officers and soldiers of the United States Army (including Acting Assistant Surgeons and authorized Volunteer Aides), who constituted the expeditionary force to Santiago de Cuba and who worthily participated in the campaign between the dates of June 14 and July 17, 1898, and who shall signify their wish for membership by making application and paying the dues. There shall be three classes of membership, namely: First, Original Members; Second, Members by Inheritance, to consist of lineal male descendants of Original Members; and, Third, Members by Succession, to consist of those male blood relatives of the first or second class