US Naval Academy. Marksmanship Prize Medal 1927

United States Naval Academy. Marksmanship Prize Medal, 1927, silver and enamel. Engraved “B. N. Rittenhouse, Jr.” on the reverse, Marked BB&B/Sterling” on the reverse of the top bar and pendant.

Rear Admiral Basil Norris Rittenhouse entered the Naval Academy in 1924 and, as a midshipman, became part of the Navy Rifle Team. In 1941, he assumed command of USS Mackenzie (DD-614), earning two Bronze Stars for operations in Italy and Southern France. In 1954, he was involved in the evacuation of refugees from Haiphong, Vietnam, and earned the Vietnamese Presidential Unit Citation. Admiral Rittenhouse retired in December 1961. He died in October 1973 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.