Early Naval History Artifacts Donated to USS Constitution Museum
18 November 2004
Capt Creekman

Veterans Day 2004 provided the Naval Historical Foundation a great opportunity to transfer part of its important collection to the USS Constitution Museum in Boston. Located immediately adjacent to "Old Ironsides" in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard, the Museum does a superb job of interpreting the history of the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Now that historical interpretation role has some new assets, as Foundation Executive Director Todd Creekman donated five Congressionally authorized silver medals from the War of 1812 period, celebrating three victories by USS Constitution, one by USS United States, and the overall U.S. fleet victory at the Battle of Lake Champlain. At an annual Marine Corps birthday event at the Museum, commemorating the first Marine combat death, that of Lt. William S. Bush in Constitution during its epic battle with HMS Guerriere, descendants of Lt. Bush looked on as the Foundation presented the medals, one of which was an exact companion to the silver medal awarded by Congress in tribute to Lt. Bush's heroism that day.