Captain Edward R. McCall (5 August 1790 – 1 August 1853) was an officer in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

during the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States, United States of America and its Indigenous peoples of the Americas, indigenous allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom ...

. He was awarded a

Congressional Gold Medal The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress. It is Congress's highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions. The congressional pract ...

Biography

Born in

South Carolina )'' Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...

, McCall was appointed midshipman 1 January 1808. Appointed acting lieutenant in brig ''Enterprise'' 16 October 1811, he took command of his ship during her action with HMS ''Boxer'' 5 September 1813, early in which ''Enterprise's'' captain, Lieutenant

William Ward Burrows II Lieutenant William Ward Burrows II (6 October 1785 – 5 September 1813) was an officer in the United States Navy during the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. His father, William Ward Burrows I, was the second Commandant of the Marine Corp ...

, was mortally wounded. In acknowledgment of his victory over ''Boxer'', McCall received the

Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress is a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Altho ...

and a

. Promoted to captain 3 March 1835, he died at his home in

Bordentown, New Jersey Bordentown is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 3,924.USS ''McCall'' for him.

Congressional Gold Medal citation

: That the President of the United States be requested to present to the nearest male relative of lieutenant William Burrows, and to lieutenant Edward R. McCall of the brig ''Enterprise'', a gold medal with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal with like emblems and devices to each of the commissioned officers of the aforesaid vessel, in testimony of the high sense entertained in the conflict with the British sloop ''Boxer'', on the fourth of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirteen. And the President is also requested to communicate to the nearest male relative of lieutenant Burrows the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of that valuable officer, who died in the arms of victory, nobly contending for his country's rights and fame. 1790 births 1853 deaths Congressional Gold Medal recipients United States Navy officers People from South Carolina United States Navy personnel of the War of 1812 People from Bordentown, New Jersey Military personnel from New Jersey {{US-navy-bio-stub