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Medal Name: Capture of the Java
Struck for: Captain William Bainbridge
Approval: Act of Congress March 3, 1813
OBVERSE
GULIELMUS BAINBRIDGE PATRIA VICTISQUE LAUDATUS. (William Bainbridge praised by hiscountry and by the vanquished foe.)
Bust of Captain Bainbridge, in uniform, facing the right
REVERSE
PUGNANDO. (In fighting.)
The naval action is over.
The British frigate Java, of forty-nine guns, Captain Lambert, is completely dismasted; while the United States frigate Constitution, of forty-four guns, Captain Bainbridge, is but slightly damaged in her rigging.
Exergue: INTER CONST. NAV. AMERI. ET JAV. NAV.ANGL. DIE XXIX DECEM. MDCCCXII (Inter Constitution navem Americanam et Java navem, Anglicanam,die 29 Decembris, 1812: Between the American vessel Constitution and the English vessel Java, December 29, 1812.)
BACKGROUND
William Bainbridge was born in Princeton, New Jersey, May 7, 1774. He began life in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant in 1798, was master-commandant in 1799, and captain in 1800. With the frigate George Washington he went to Algiers, whence he conveyed an ambassador to Constantinople, the George Washington being the first American vessel ever seen there. He commanded the Philadelphia when she was lost off Tripoli, November 1, 1803. After his return to the United States he did not serve again afloat till 1812, when he obtained the command of the Constitution; and on December 29 of the same year he captured the British frigate Java, Captain Lambert, for which action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. After the war he commanded twice in the Mediterranean, and after 1821 served on shore, commanding different navy yards, and was president of the Naval Board. He died in Philadelphia, July 28, 1833.
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Bainbridge, etc.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America inCongress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to present to Captain William Bainbridge, of the frigate Constitution, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices;and a silver medal, with suitable emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the said frigate, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct, and services of Captain Bainbridge, his officers, and crew, in the capture of the British frigate Java, after a brave and skillful combat.
Approved March 3, 1813.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)