1832-1903 Bancroft Gherardi 1.17 oz Sterling Silver .925 High Relief Medal

1832-1903 Bancroft Gherardi 1.17 oz Sterling Silver .925 High Relief Medal

Deciding on a naval career, young Bancroft secured an appointment in 1846 to the Naval Academy as an acting midshipman through the assistance of his uncle, who was, by that time, Secretary of the Navy. As the Mexican War was underway Bancroft left the Academy and reported to the U.S.S. Ohio (84-gun ship of the line), on which he served to the end of the war. 

Bancroft Gherardi was an active participant in the the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He was elected as a Companion of the First Class on July 2, 1866 by the Pennsylvania Commandery, while he was on duty in Philadelphia, and assigned Insignia No. 177. He served on the Council of the Commandery in 1886-1887 and then as Sr. Vice Commander from 1887 to 1888. On October 16, 1895 he was elected Sr. Vice Commander-in-Chief and, as noted, became Commander-in-Chief on the death of General Gibbon. Admiral Gherardi was elected Commander-in-Chief in his own right on October 13, 1896 and served until the annual meeting of the Commandery-in-Chief in 1899 when General John M. Schofield succeeded him. 

The obverse of this medallion depicts Commander in chief Bancroft Gherardi with his name above his picture as well as his year of birth and death to the left and right of him respectively. The obverse reads, 'Rear admiral, headed U.S.N Exam Board, U.S.N Asylum & New York Navy Yard."

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