E-Sylum Feature Writer and American Numismatic Biographies author Pete Smith submitted this article on the gold First Class life saving medal awarded to national hero Thomas Sampson. Thanks! -Editor

"CHAP. 344.-An act to provide for the establishment of life-saving stations and houses of refuge upon the sea and lake coasts of the United States, and to promote the efficiency of the life-saving service.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to establish life-saving stations, life-boat life-saving stations, and houses of refuge, for the better preservation of life and property from shipwreck, at or in the vicinity of the following named points upon the sea and lake coasts of the United States, namely: [More text]

SEC. 7. That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to cause Medals of honor to be prepared, with suitable devices, to be distinguished as life-saving medals of the first and second class, which shall be bestowed upon any persons who shall hereafter endanger their own lives in saving, or endeavouring to save lives from perils of the sea, within the United States, or upon any American vessel: Provided, That the medal of the first class shall be confined to cases of extreme and heroic daring; and that the medal of the second class shall be given in cases not sufficiently distinguished to deserve the medal of the first class: Provided, also, That no award of either medal shall be made to any person until sufficient evidence of his deserving shall have been filed with the Secretary of the Treasury and entered upon the records of the Department.

Approved, June 20, 1874."

"Mr. (representative James Way) Covert has introduced a bill in the House which directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare a medal of honor and bestow it upon Thomas Sampson, of New York, in recognition of his services in saving the lives of drowning persons."

"Detective Thomas Sampson is in luck. Mr. (representative Archibald Mesoralo) Bliss of Brooklyn, has introduced a bill to give him a medal for the saving of a life. He has several of them from all sorts of societies, and Congress provides that where a man or woman is distinguished in that line, they shall have a medal."

"It appears that prior to the passage of this act, Sampson had rescued a number of persons from drowning; had received medals for his gallantry from the Mayor, Humane Society, and

Board of Underwriters of New York City, and other organizations and is highly indorsed by leading citizens in connection with these services as well as others of a different character rendered by him to the government.

The fact that the rescues were made prior to the enactment of the above provision of law deprives Sampson of these benefits.

The committee considers the case a meritorious one and recommended the passage of the bill."

"Whereas Thomas Sampson had heretofore, at various times, greatly distinguished himself in rescuing human beings from death in the manner prescribed by said act: Therefor:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, directed to cause to be prepared a medal of honor, with suitable devices, to be bestowed upon Thomas Sampson, of the City of New York, according to the provisions contained in section seven of the act…"

"That no award of either medal shall be made to any person until sufficient evidence of his deserving shall have been filed with the Secretary of the Treasury and entered upon the records of the Department."

"The president has signed the special act of congress awarding Capt. Thomas Sampson. Chief of detectives of the sub-treasury in New York, a gold medal for distinguished services in saving life. This makes the fourteenth medal received by Captain Sampson for service in saving life."

"The Senate Commerce Committee this morning agreed to a favorable report on the bill which passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday of last week, awarding a gold medal of the first class to Captain Thomas Sampson, of New York City, for rescuing five boys from drowning. He saved the lives of three boys in June, 1854, in New York Bay, and in June, 1856, he saved the lives of three more in the narrows. At that time he was connected with the police force. The New York Life Saving Benevolent Association recognized his bravery by presenting a gold medal to him on each occasion… Two years ago he made application for a medal, but on account …of the great lapse of time, he was unable to produce the proofs required by law. It was necessary, therefore, that Congress should pass a special law authorizing the Secretary to award the medal."

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to award to Captain Thomas Sampson, of New York, a gold medal of the first class, for bravery in rescuing, at the peril of his own life, five boys from drowning—three in June, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and two in June, eighteen hundred and fifty-six.

Approved, May 14, 1888."

"The application in this case was made by Mr. Sampson himself, supported by the necessary evidence, & Hon S. S. (representative Samuel Sullivan) Cox interested himself in the matter.

It was found that the dates upon which the services of Mr. Sampson was rendered, were prior to the act of Congress – June 20, 1874 – authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to award life saving medals, A special act was therefore approved May 14, 1888, authorizing the award of a gold medal to him for rescuing at the peril of his own life, five boys from drowning – three in June 1854 and two in June 1856."

"To Thomas Sampson for bravely rescuing five boys from drowning in 1854 and 1856."

Date of Application, Oct, 18, 1886 / Reference to Commission, Dec. 10, 1886 / Medal Ordered, Aug. 18, 1888 / Medal Sent, Oct. 25, 1888 / Letter of same date to Hon. S,.S. Cox transmitting medal to be delivered to Sampson.

"Capt. Thomas Sampson, Chief Detective at the Sub-Treasury, was happy yesterday. A gold medal, awarded him by Congress for life saving, had been borrowed by some of his friends and returned to him in an altered state, A handsome gold bar, suitable inscribed, and other trappings, such as decorative medals been added."