Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

United States of America, Treasury Lifesaving Medal, 45mm, silver, the obverse featuring an allegorical figure plucking a drowning man from the sea, ‘United States of America’ above, ‘Act of Congress June 20, 1874.’ below; the reverse inscribed ‘To Private Denis Barry, Co. A., 6th. U.S. Infantry, for Gallant Service in rescuing two persons from drowning January 18, 1893.’ within wreath, ‘In Testimony of Heroic Deeds in Saving Life from the Perils of the Sea’ around, with attractive uniface eagle suspension, nearly extremely fine £200-300

‘On the evening of January 18, 1893, while crossing the ice between Jersey City and Bedlow’s Island, New York Harbor, a man and his wife fell through an air-hole into the water. Lieutenant Webster, 6th U.S. Infantry, and “Mac” Wetherill, the son of the Fort Wood Commanding Officer, were skating nearby. Giving the alarm they hastened to aid the imperilled people. Throwing his overcoat to the man in the water, Lieutenant Webster laid flat on the ice and grasped the hand of the man, young Wetherill also lying down in the ice and grasping the Lieutenant’s feet to keep him from slipping. Meanwhile, Privates Barry, Buerger, Guiney, Hotchkiss, and Rodenstein were hurrying to the rescue with ropes and boards. After relieving Lieutenant Webster and getting the woman out of the water they formed a line of men, the ice sinking beneath them until the water was nearly knee-deep, and succeeded in getting out the man also.’

For their gallantry, Lieutenant Webster, Alex “Mac” Wetherill, and the five Privates, all of the 6th U.S. Infantry, based at Fort Wood, New York Harbor, were awarded the Treasury Lifesaving Medal. The application was made by Captain A. M. Wetherill, the Commanding Officer of Fort Wood.

The United States Treasury Lifesaving Medal was instituted in 1874, and just over 2,000 have been issued - the majority in the late 19th and early 20th Century,

Contained in fitted case of issue