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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Quartermaster · U.S. Navy

James Buck

Quartermaster James Buck, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions between April 24 and 25, 1862 in Forts Jackson & St. Philip, Louisiana during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War April 24 - 25, 1862

Quartermaster James Buck, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry between April 24 and 25, 1862 in Forts Jackson & St. Philip, Louisiana during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Brooklyn. Buck was about 54 years old.

18 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Acting Master's Mate.

Buck was born in 1808 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. Buck died on November 1, 1865 in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of about 57. He is buried at Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

Buck is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War.

★ Wounded but Fought On

Official Medal of Honor citation

Served on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn in the attack upon Forts Jackson and St.Philip and at the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. Although severely wounded by a heavy splinter, Buck continued to perform his duty until positively ordered below. Later stealing back to his post, he steered the ship for eight hours despite his critical condition. His bravery was typical of the type which resulted in the taking of the Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in the capture of New Orleans.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and injuries

What the citation records about his wounds:

Although severely wounded by a heavy splinter, Buck continued to perform his duty until positively ordered below.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: Denver — map
  • Died: Baltimore — map
  • Buried: Green Mount Cemetery — map

Timeline

  1. 1808
    Born in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
  2. April 24 - 25, 1862
    Act of valor — Forts Jackson & St. Philip, Louisiana
    Age about 54. U.S.S. Brooklyn
  3. November 1, 1865
    Died in Baltimore, Maryland
    Age about 57.
  4. Resting place
    Green Mount Cemetery
    Baltimore, Maryland

Biography

James Buck (c. 1808 – November 1, 1865) was an American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient and a sailor in the United States Navy.

From the Wikipedia article “James Buck (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 24 - 25, 1862

TB Thomas Bourne Seaman and Gun Captain · Navy Civil War · 1862 AB Amos Bradley Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1862 CB Christopher Brennan Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 Edward Farrell Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1862 TF Thomas S. Flood Boy · Navy Civil War · 1862 JF John B. Frisbee Gunner's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1862 JG John Greene Captain of the Forecastle · Navy Civil War · 1862 GH George Hollat Third Class Boy · Navy Civil War · 1862 TL Thomas G. Lyons Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 WM William Martin Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 JM John McGowan Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1862 WM William McKnight Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1862

See all 19 recipients for April 24 - 25, 1862 →

Same unit

WB William Blagheen Ship's Cook · Navy Civil War · 1864 JB John Brown Captain of the Forecastle · Navy Civil War · 1864 WB William H. Brown Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1864 JC John Cooper Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1864 SD Samuel W. Davis Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1864 JD John Henry Denig Sergeant · Marine Corps Civil War · 1864 RD Richard Dennis Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1864 WH William W. Halstead Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.