The Fidelity Medallion

• Time Period: Pre-WW1
• Institution: 1780
• Country: United States

The Fidelity Medallion was created by act of the Continental Congress in 1780 and is the oldest decoration of the United States military. Also known as the “André Capture Medal“, the Fidelity Medallion was awarded to those soldiers who participated in the capture of Major John André, of the British army, who had been the contact to Benedict Arnold and had helped organize his defection.

Historical records indicate that three soldiers, all members of the militia of New York state, were awarded the Fidelity Medallion after its first issuance:

• Private John Paulding
• Private David Williams
• Private Isaac Van Wart

The Fidelity Medallion was never again bestowed and it quickly became regarded as a commemorative decoration. For this reason, the Badge of Military Merit is generally considered the first decoration of the U.S. military, even though it was created two years after the Fidelity Medallion, in 1782.

All three of the original Medallions were thought to be lost. Isaac Van Wart’s example was thought to be lost at the time of his death in 1828, but is actually in the hands of a descendant in Westchester County, NY. John Paulding’s and David Williams’ medallions were both donated to the New-York Historical Society in 1905 which displayed them in a locked, glass-topped case. In mid-1975, the two Medallions were stolen, along with the pocket watch originally belonging to Major John André. The Historical Society did not go public with the loss at the time, and none of the items have been recovered.

The Fidelity Medallion Design

The Fidelity Medallion measures 55mm. x 41mm. The obverse of the medallion was inscribed “Fidelity“; the reverse, with the motto, “Amor Patriæ Vincit“, which means, “The love of country conquers.”

In the two centuries since the original Fidelity Medallions were issued, replicas have occasionally been produced in metals including silver, pewter, lead and bronze and in varying degrees of historical accuracy. The American Numismatic Society has six different specimens in their collection.