Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Captain of the Top James Horton received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 13, 1879 at sea, northeast Atlantic, west of the English Channel — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Constitution. Horton was about 29 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 7, 1879.
Horton was born in 1850 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Serving on board the U.S.S. Constitution, at sea, 13 February 1879, Horton showed courageous conduct in going over the stern during a heavy gale and cutting the fastenings of the ship's rudder chains.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
- Born: Boston — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- 1850Born in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
- February 13, 1879Act of valor — at sea, northeast Atlantic, west of the English ChannelAge about 29. U.S.S. Constitution
- September 7, 1879Medal of Honor presented
Biography
James Horton (born 1850) was a sailor serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “James Horton (Medal of Honor, 1879)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
