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Medal Name: Loss Of The United States Brig-Of-War Somers
Struck for: French, British, and Spanish ships of war in the harbor of Vera Cruz
Approval: Act of Congress March 3d, 1847
OBVERSE
SOMERS NAVIS AMERICANA. (The American vessel Somers.)
The United States brig-of-war Somers knocked down at sea.
Exergue: ANTE VERA CRUZ DEC. 10th 1846. (Off Vera Cruz, December 10th,1846.)
REVERSE
PRO VITIS AMERICANORUM CONSERVATIS. (For having saved the lives of Americans.)
Three men-of-war's boats, English, Spanish, and French, pulling for the Somers.
Exergue: A vacant space for the name of the recipient.
BACKGROUND
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to British, French, and Spanish Officers, etc
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled:That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to cause suitable gold and silver medals to be prepared and presented to the officers and men belonging or attached to the French, British, and Spanish ships of war in the harbor of Vera Cruz, who so gallantly and at the imminent peril of their lives, aided in rescuing from a watery grave many of the officers and crew of the United States brig Somers.
Approved March 3d, 1847
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)