Medal commemorating Captain Stephen Decatur (1779-1820) and the action between USS 'United States' and HMS 'Macedonian', 1812. Obverse: Bust of the Captain Stephen Decatur in uniform (right). Legend: 'STEPHANUS DECATUR NAVARCHUS, PUGNIS.' Below: 'PLURIBUS, VICTOR.' (Stephen Decatur, Naval Captain, victor in many fights.) Reverse: Starboard-quarter view of HMS 'Macedonian', frigate dismasted (left), and port-quarter view of USS 'United States', frigate firing (right). Legend: 'OCCIDIT SIGNUM HOSTILE SIDERA SURGUNT.' (The enemy's standard falls, the stars rise.) Exergue: 'INTER STA. UNI. NAV. AMERI. ET MACEDO. NAV. ANG. DIE XXV OCTOBRIS MDCCCXII.' (Between the American ship 'United States' and the English ship 'Macedonian', 25 October 1812.) Signed 'FURST. F.' below truncation of bust and to the left on the exergual line.
One of a series of 27 medals commemorating American successes during the War of 1812, struck by special resolution of Congress. They were awarded to naval commanders in gold and to their officers in silver. The bronze examples are restrikes.