Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Quartermaster James Saunders received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 19, 1864 off Cherbourg, France during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Kearsarge. Saunders was about 55 years old.
16 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Quartermaster.
Saunders was born in 1809 in Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Saunders is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Carrying out his duties courageously throughout the bitter engagement, Saunders was prompt in reporting damages done to both ships, and it is testified to by Commodore Winslow that he is deserving of all commendation, both for gallantry and for encouragement of others in his division.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1809Born in Massachusetts
- June 19, 1864Act of valor — off Cherbourg, FranceAge about 55. U.S.S. Kearsarge
Biography
James Saunders (c. 1809 - unknown) was a quartermaster in the United States Navy who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor for gallantry during the American Civil War. Summers was awarded the medal on 31 December 1864 for actions performed off the coast of Cherbourg, France, on 19 June 1864.
From the Wikipedia article “James Saunders (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
