Butler Medal

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The Butler Medal was a military decoration of the United States Army which was first created on October 11, 1864. The medal was created under the authority of Major General Benjamin Butler and was intended recognized meritorious or heroic acts of bravery performed by African American soldiers fighting for the United States of America in the American Civil War.

By 1865, the Butler Medal had been presented to nearly two hundred African American Union soldiers, all of whom were serving in the Army of the James. The medal was originally known as the Colored Troops Medal but the name was changed to Butler Medal after the close of the Civil War.

The Butler Medal appeared as a red, white, and blue ribbon suspended from a clasp reading "Army of the James". Attached to the ribbon was a gold medallion detailing African American troops moving forward in battle.

In the modern military, the Butler Medal is considered obsolete but is recognized as an official decoration of the United States Armed Forces and one of the oldest military awards of the United States Army.