First Rhode Island Regiment to Receive Congressional Gold Medal: Honoring Revolutionary War’s First Integrated Unit

The First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the federal government to award its highest civilian honor to a group of soldiers who made history long before the country was fully formed. Under Section 3, the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate will award a single collective gold medal to the regiment, recognizing their service as one of the first integrated units in the Continental Army. This bill specifically honors the 'able-bodied enslaved Black, mulatto, or Indian' men who enlisted in 1778 under the promise of immediate freedom, as well as the white soldiers they served alongside for five years of the Revolutionary War.

A Permanent Home for History

Once the Secretary of the Treasury strikes the medal with custom designs (Section 3), it won’t be tucked away in a private vault. The legislation mandates that the medal be given to the Rhode Island State Library. This ensures that the medal is not only displayed for the public but also made available for historical research. For students, history buffs, or descendants of these veterans, this provision turns a symbolic gesture into a permanent educational resource. The bill even encourages the library to loan the medal out to other relevant historical sites, making sure the story of soldiers like Priamus Babcock and Prince Bent reaches as many people as possible.

Funding the Tribute

To keep this from being a drain on the taxpayer, the bill includes a self-funding mechanism in Sections 4 and 6. While the primary gold medal is a one-time cost, the U.S. Mint is authorized to sell bronze duplicate medals to the public. The price for these duplicates must cover all production costs, including labor, materials, and overhead. The money from these sales goes right back into the Mint’s enterprise fund. This means if you’re a collector or a history teacher who wants a piece of this legacy for your desk, your purchase actually helps foot the bill for the official recognition.

Defining a Legacy

By designating these as 'national medals' under Section 5, the bill gives the regiment’s story the same official weight as other major historical milestones. This isn't just about a trophy; it’s a formal correction of the historical record. The bill highlights the regiment’s 'unexampled fortitude' at the Battle of Rhode Island and their post-war struggle for back wages. For modern citizens, it’s a reminder that the fight for American independence and the fight for personal civil rights were, for many of these soldiers, exactly the same battle.