John Cushing Aylwin was 5th lieutenant and sailing master aboard USS Constitution during the battle against HMS Java in December 1812. Aylwin took a musket ball through his shoulder at the height of the battle, but continued at his station until the conflict was over. He died on board the ship on January 29, 1813, after a month of struggling to recover from his wound. This Congressional silver medal, accepted after his death by his family, honors his role in the victory.
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