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Medal Name: Capture of the Penguin
Struck for: Captain James Biddle
Approval: Act of Congress February 22, 1816
OBVERSE
THE CONGRESS OF THE U. S. (United States) TO CAPT. (Captain) JAMES BIDDLE. FOR HIS GALLANTRY GOOD CONDUCT AND SERVICES.
Bust of Captain Biddle, in uniform, facing the right
REVERSE
CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH SHIP PENGUIN BY THE U. S. (United States) SHIP HORNET.
Naval action between the United States sloop-of-war Hornet, of eighteen guns, Captain Biddle, and the British sloop-of-war Penguin, of nineteen guns, Captain Dickenson.
The Hornet, to windward, is raking the Penguin.
The British vessel has lost her main-top-gallant-mast.
In the distance the peak of Tristan d'Acunha.
Exergue: OFF TRISTAN D'ACUNHA MARCH XXIII MDCCCXV.
BACKGROUND
James Biddle was born in Philadelphia, February 28, 1783. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800, and went to the Mediterranean with Captain Bainbridge. He was wrecked in the Philadelphia, and was a prisoner in Tripoli for nearly two years; was a lieutenant in 1807, and first lieutenant of the Wasp in 1812, when she captured the Frolic. For his conduct on this occasion he was promoted to the rank of master-commandant. While in command of the sloop-of-war Hornet he captured the British sloop-of-war Penguin, Captain Dickenson, March 23, 1815, receiving for this gallant deed the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He became a captain in the same year, and commanded the Mediterranean squadron, 1830-1832. He was governor of the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, 1838-1842; commanded the East India squadron, 1845, and was on the west coast of Mexico during the Mexican war. He died in Philadelphia, October 1, 1848.
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Biddle, 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 James Biddle, of the sloop of war Hornet, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver medal, with suitable emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the said sloop of war, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress, of the gallantry, good conduct, and services of Captain Biddle, his officers and crew, in capturing the British sloop of war Penguin, after a brave and skilful combat.
Approved February 22, 1816
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)