James Smith (Medal of Honor, 1872)

James Smith (born 1838) was a seaman serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

James Smith
Born1838
Hawaii
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankSeaman
UnitUSS Kansas (1863)
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Smith was born in 1838 in the Kingdom of Hawaii before it became part of the United States and after immigrating to the United States he joined the navy. His navy enlistment papers state that he was a "Sandwich Islander" (Hawaiian). He was stationed aboard the USS Kansas as a seaman when, on April 12, 1872, several members of the crew including the ship's captain were drowning near Greytown, Nicaragua. For his actions received the Medal of Honor July 9, 1872.[1][2]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Hawaiian Islands. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 176, 9 July 1872.

Citation:

Serving on board the U.S.S. Kansas, Smith displayed great coolness and self-possession at the time Comdr. A. F. Crosman and others were drowned near Greytown, Nicaragua, 12 April 1872, and by extraordinary heroism and personal exertion, prevented greater loss of life.[1]

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See also
  • List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime

References
  1. "Interim Awards, 1871-98; Smith, James entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  2. "Kansas". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
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