Medal commemorating Captain James Biddle and the action between USS 'Hornet' and HMS 'Penguin', 1815. Obverse: Bust of the captain in uniform (right). Legend: 'THE CONGRESS OF THE U. S. TO CAPT. JAMES BIDDLE. FOR HIS GALLANTRY, GOOD CONDUCT AND SERVICES.' Reverse: Port broadside view of USS 'Hornet', sloop (left), and port-quarter view of HMS 'Penguin', brig-sloop, her main topgallant mast carried away (right); view of the island of Tristan da Cunha behind. Legend: 'CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH SHIP PENGUIN BY THE U. S. SHIP HORNET.' Exergue: 'OFF TRISTAN D'ACUNHA MARCH XXIII MDCCCXV.' 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.