A "War Prize" from the Philippines - 1899

The Presidio's Ordo?ez gun was originally mounted in a Spanish coastal fort at Subic Bay in the Philippines. Undamaged during the Spanish American War, the gun was captured by Filipino nationalists, who were known as "Insurrectos" by the occupying Americans.

In September 1899, a combined U.S. Army-Navy force attacked the Filipino positions at Subic Bay. This gun was reported to have been destroyed by shellfire from the American cruiser USS Charleston. Some historians suggest that the damage was caused by the explosion of a shell within the gun.

Following the war, numerous captured guns from the Philippines were brought to the United States as war prizes. Publisher William Randolph Hearst acquired this Ordo?ez gun and presented it to the City of San Francisco. It was on display in Columbia Square Park until 1973, when the U.S. Army acquired the gun for display at the Presidio.

This Ordo?ez gun has been preserved in its battle-damaged state as a reminder of the U.S. Army soldiers who passed through the Presidio during the conflict in the Philippines, and their Spanish and Filipino opponents who manned the weapon.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  San Francisco, CA  |  San Francisco County  |  94129  |  California  |  United States of America

War in the Philippines
Infantry Row, a War Memorial
Montgomery Street Barracks
North West Corner of Original Presidio
Montgomery Street Barracks
Music in the Military: Presidio Band Barracks
Western Defense Command Headquarters
Old and New: Presidio Fire Station
Presidio of San Francisco
First Women in the Army: U.S. Army Nurse Corps

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.