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U.S. Navy

John H. James

ConflictCivil War

Year of Action1864

Unit/CommandUSS Richmond

BirthplaceBoston, Massachusetts

Citation

As captain of a gun on board the USS Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, James fought his gun with skill and courage throughout a furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.

Branch: U.S. Navy Conflict: Civil War Year of Action: 1864