NAVY MEDAL OF HONOR.
A five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils, each point containing a crown of laurel and oak; in the middle, within a circle of thirty-four stars, America, personified as Minerva, stands with her left hand resting on the fasces, while with her right, in which she holds a shield blazoned with the American arms, she repulses Discord, represented with two snakes in each hand; the whole suspended by an anchor to two clasps united by a ribbon of thirteen stripes, paleways, gules and argent, and a chief, azure. On the platform:
PAQUET F.
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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Acts of Congress Instituting Naval Medals of Honor.
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Section
7.
And be it further enacted
, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and is hereby, authorized to cause 200 "medals of honor" to be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war, and that the sum of $1,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury for the purpose of carrying this section into effect. Approved December 21, 1861.
Section
10. Seamen distinguishing themselves in battle or by extraordinary heroism in the line of their profession, may be promoted to forward warrant officers, or acting master's mates, as they may be best qualified, upon the recommendation of their commanding officer, approved by the flag officer and the department. Upon such promotion they shall receive a gratuity of $100 and a medal of honor to be prepared by the Navy Department. Approved July 16, 1862. #/
July 12, 1862, and March 3, 1863.