US HB1277

Awards a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the First Rhode Island Regiment for their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War

Recognizes the regiment as among the first American military units to recruit men of African heritage and Indigenous descent, with approximately 200 such soldiers enlisted between February and June 1778 after Rhode Island authorized the enlistment of enslaved individuals who would receive immediate freedom upon passing muster

Honors the regiment's heroic actions at the Battle of Rhode Island on August 28, 1778, where they held back Hessian forces and caused their retreat, suffering 3 killed, 9 wounded, and 11 missing

Directs the gold medal to be given to the Rhode Island State Library for display and research, with authorization for the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates

Authorizes funding from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover medal costs, with proceeds from duplicate sales deposited back into the fund