 |
Medal Name: Release of Martin Coszta
Struck for: Commander Duncan Nathaniel Ingraham
Approval: Act of Congress August 4, 1854
OBVERSE
The United States sloop-of-war St Louis, and the Austrian brig-of-war Hussar, are at anchor in the roads of Smyrna; while a second Austrian war vessel and three mail steamers are at a little distance.
The city of Smyrna and the ruins of the Acropolis, on Mount Pagus, are in the background.
Exergue: SMYRNA. AMERICAN SLOOP OF WAR ST. LOUIS. AUSTRIAN BRIG OF WAR HUSSAR
REVERSE
Within a wreath of laurel and oak: PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO COMMANDER DUNCAN N. (Nathaniel) INGRAHAM AS A TESTIMONIAL OF THE HIGH SENSE ENTERTAINED BY CONGRESS OF HIS GALLANT AND JUDICIOUS CONDUCT ON THE 2d OF JULY 1853. JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS AUGUST 4th 1854.
Exergue: The American eagle, with outspread wings, holds an anchor in its talons;
above are thirty-one stars, the whole lighted by the rays of the sun.
BACKGROUND
Duncan Nathaniel Ingraham was born in Charleston, South Carolina, December 6, 1802. He was appointed a midshipman, June 18, 1812; became a lieutenant, January 13, 1825; and commander, September 8, 1841. While in command of the sloop-of-war St. Louis, off Smyrna, in July, 1853, he rescued Martin Coszta from the Austrian brig-of-war Hussar; for this act Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He became a captain, 1855; and in 1856 was appointed chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography in the Navy Department, Washington. He resigned, February 4, 1861, and acted with the Southern Confederacy during the Civil War. He died in Charleston, South Carolina, June 10, 1863.
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Commander Ingraham
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to cause to be made a medal, with suitable devices, and presented to Commander Duncan N. Ingraham, of the navy of the United States, as a testimonial of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallant and judicious conduct on the second of July, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, in extending protection to Martin Coszta, by rescuing him from illegal seizure and imprisonment on board the Austrian war brig Hussar.
Approved August 4, 1854.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)