Issued by
United States Department of State, American, founded 1789
Received by
Carter, William Beverly Jr., American, 1921 - 1982
Date
January 1981
Medium
gold with metal and silk (textile)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2 15/16 × 1 7/16 × 3/8 in. (7.5 × 3.7 × 0.9 cm)
Description
A United States Department of State Distinguished Honor Award issued to Ambassador William Beverly Carter, Jr. This medal is a composite object: a bar pin with a safety catch, holding a white ribbon attached to a gold medal. The ribbon is looped over the front of the bar pin. The ribbon is white with three (3), thin, vertical, navy blue stripes. The bottom of the ribbon is threaded through the bail at the top of the medal. The medal is gold toned and roughly rounded. The obverse is dominated by the Great Seal of the United States: a bald eagle with its wings displayed, holding a bundle of thirteen (13) arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right talon. In its beak, the eagle clutches a scroll with the motto [E PLURIBUS] and [UNUM]. Over the eagle’s head there is a cluster of thirteen (13) five-pointed stars surrounded by a ring of circular clouds. A vertically striped shield covers the eagle's breast. The seal is framed by two relief concentric circles. Text between the circles reads, [DEPARTMENT OF STATE] at the top and [UNITED STATES OF AMERICA] at the bottom, separated by two five-pointed stars. Wrapped around the bottom of the circular frame, is a wreath and a scroll with stamped text that reads [DISTINGUISHED / HONOR AWARD]. On the reverse of the medal at the center is stamped text that reads [W. BEVERLY CERTER / JANUARY 1981]. At the bottom is a stamped maker’s mark and carat stamp [P / S / PROV] and [10KT].
Place made
Providence, Rhode Island, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, Africa
Tanzania, East Africa, Africa
Collection title
Archive of Ambassador W. Beverly Carter
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
commemorative medals
Topic
Africa
Government
International affairs
Politics
U.S. History, 1969-2001
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the family of Ambassador William Beverly Carter, Jr.
Object number
A2019.45.1.2
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5133f8da5-5401-4b16-8b32-c5426b5ff1ab

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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