Chile. Commemorative Medal for the Naval Battle of Iquique, 1879

Chile. Commemorative Medal for naval battle of Iquique, 1879, bronze. Looped, but no ribbon.

In the naval stage of the War of the Pacific, on 21 May 1879, a wooden Chilean corvette engaged the Peruvian ironclad “Huascar” off the Peruvian port of Iquique. After four hours of combat, the Peruvians prevailed and sank the Chilean ship. Although a tactical victory for Peru, the war was ultimately won by Chile.