dolphins

The medal's obverse bears dolphins over anchor, over crossed cannon barrels and fasces; large round knob at top.

The reverse is bare.

It is unknown whether Manship created this design for a commission, a design competition, or independently from a sense of patriotic fervor. Manship certainly was a fierce patriot who did what he could to support the war effort.

The exact date for this design is also not known but one of the other designs, the Army Valor decoration, has a sample date of 1918 inscribed on the reverse.  They all date roughly to the end of World War I, probably 1918 or 1919.

The cast bronze measures approximately 67mm x 79mm and weighs 238.5g.

The medal's obverse bears bust of Jerry Land facing right in circular center field. Around, THE VICE ADMIRAL "JERRY" LAND / MEDAL / (star) (star) (star) THE SOCIETY OF (star) (star) (star) / NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND MARINE ENGINEERS

The reverse bears organization's logo flanked by two dolphins over cartouche and streamer. In cartouche, FOR OUTSTANDING / ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE / MARINE FIELD; signed between folds of streamer, PM

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers was founded in 1893 as a U.S. engineering society.  Today, the group has members in almost every seafaring and offshore energy nation and has various international chapters known as sections.

The medal was named for Vice Admiral Emory S. "Jerry" Land and is awarded for "Outstanding Accomplishment in the Marine Field." Awardees need not be members of the organization. It has been awarded annually since its inception in 1952 when it was awarded to Vice Admiral Land himself.

Emory S. Land (1879-1971) was an officer in the United States Navy, noted for his contributions to naval architecture, particularly in submarine design. Notable assignments included serving as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair during the 1930s, and as Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission during World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his work on submarine design and construction and for work in the war zone.

The hexagonal medal measures 50.7mm x 72.7mm, including the loop. It was struck in gold-plated bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1952-009

The medal's obverse bears a pod of dolphins leaping from ocean wave. Signed at bottom, EVERHART II

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by dolphins. Above, 1984.

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in various materials by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal MA-1984

References:   Cal MA-1993