THE EXCEPTIONAL AND UNIQUE EGYPT MEDAL AWARDED TO ROYAL NAVY OFFICER, WHO WAS LATER KILLED IN ACTION WHILST IN COMMAND OF A JOINT ROYAL NAVY AND UNITED STATES NAVAL EXPEDITION AT THE SECOND BATTLE OF VAILELE, 1 APRIL 1899 DURING THE SAMOAN CIVIL WAR. HAVING BEEN AMBUSHED BY 800 REBELS AND AFTER A GALLANT STAND, THE SMALL NAVAL FORCE CONDUCTED A FIGHTING RETREAT, OFTEN AT CLOSE QUARTERS AGAINST A FIERCE ENEMY, THE NAVAL FORCE LOOSING HEAVILY, INCLUDING ONE ROYAL NAVAL AND TWO U.S. NAVAL OFFICERS, ALL OF WHOM WERE BEHEADED. NO LESS THAN THREE MEDAL OF HONORS WERE AWARDED TO U.S. MARINES FOR THEIR GALLANTRY DURING THE BATTLE.

EGYPT AND SUDAN 1882-89, DATED REVERSE, 1 CLASP, ALEXANDRIA 11TH JULY ‘A. H. FREEMAN. MIDN R.N. H.M.S. "MONARCH".

Angel Hope Freeman was born on 18 March 1864 at 3 Arnold Terrace, Hackney, Middlesex. He trained at Britannia between 15 July 1877-24 July 1879. He served on Monarch between 24 October 1876-16 May 1883 and was promoted Sub-Lieutenant on 24 October 1883 and Lieutenant on 1 January 1887. waters off Barbadoes. He saw service on Tauranga from 1 April 1897 until he was killed in action on 1 April 1899 at the second battle of Vailele, during the Samoan Civil War. At this time of his death, Lieutenant Freeman had been in command of a joint Royal Navy and United States naval expedition sent against Samoan rebels, consisting of 26 marines, 88 sailors, 136 loyal Samoans and a Colt gun. Approaching a German owned plantation, the landing party was ambushed by approximately 800 rebels and during the ensuing action and fighting retreat, often fought at close quarters, Lieutenant Freeman, Lieutenant Lansdale USN, Ensign Monaghan USN and 4 men were killed, 7 wounded, an unknown number of loyal Samoans became casualties. The rebels lost approximately 90 men. The enemy beheaded all the officers killed, and in the case of the enlisted men they cut off the right ears of the British and both ears of the Americans. Lieutenant Freeman’s ears were also removed. Three Medals of Honors were awarded to U.S. Marines for their gallantry during the battle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Vailele

THE SECOND BATTLE OF VAILELE

The following excellent article on the battle is taken from a much larger article on the United States Naval Institute website.

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1928/march/naval-episode-1899

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE UP

Condition GVF, small EK. Sold with digital research, including service papers, photographs and various articles related to the battle.

An extremely rare Royal Navy Officer casualty medal and exceptionally so for a rare Victorian era joint Royal and U.S. Navy landing party action.