Medal commemorating Captain Robert Henley (1783-1828) and the battle of Lake Champlain, 1814. Obverse: Bust of the captain in uniform (right). Legend: 'ROB. HENLEY EAGLE PRAEFECT. PALMA VIRTU. PER AETERNIT FLOREBIT.' (Robert Henley, Captain of the 'Eagle'. The palm of bravery shall flourish for ever.) Reverse: General view of the action. Legend: 'UNO LATERE PERCUSSO ALTERUM.' Below: 'IMPAVIDE VERTIT.' (Hard hit on one side, undaunted he turns the other.) Exergue: 'INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE XI SEPT. MDCCCXIIII.' (Between the American and British fleets, 11 September 1814.) Captain Robert Henley was second in command in the 'Eagle'. Signed 'FURST. F.' below truncation of bust and on the exergual line to the right.
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.