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Medal · United States
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A Congressional Silver Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress. They have been made in either non-portable (not designed to be worn) or decoration (designed to be worn) form.
Congress has been authorizing gold medals since George Washington received the first one in 1776. Occasionally Congress will authorize a silver medal in conjunction with the higher award.
In 1779, when Brigadier General Anthony Wayne was awarded a gold medal, Lieutenant Colonel François de Fleury and Major John Stewart were awarded silver medals.
In 1780, Congress directed that silver medals be struck for John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart for capturing a British spy. There are no gold medals associated with this award.
In 1781, when Brigadier General Daniel Morgan was awarded a gold medal, Lieutenant Colonel William Washington and Lieutenant-Colonel John Eager Howard were awarded silver medals.
During the War of 1812, if a ship's captain was awarded a gold medal, sometimes his officers would receive silver duplicates.
In 1890, Congress directed that suitable medals be struck in commemoration of the Jeannette Expedition. 8 gold and 25 silver medals were struck.
From Wikipedia (article), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
