James Buck (1808 – November 1, 1865) was an

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

recipient and a sailor in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

Biography

Born in

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...

, Buck joined the Navy in 1852 as an Acting

Master's Mate Master's mate is an obsolete rating which was used by the Royal Navy, United States Navy and merchant services in both countries for a senior petty officer who assisted the master. Master's mates evolved into the modern rank of Sub-Lieutenant in t ...

and he was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Quartermaster under General Order 11, dated April 3, 1863. Buck is buried in

Greenmount Cemetery Green Mount Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Established on March 15, 1838, and dedicated on July 13, 1839, it is noted for the large number of historical figures interred in its grounds as well as man ...

in Baltimore.

Honors

The

named three ships after him — USS ''Buck''. The first ship to be named after Buck, was a motorboat built in 1911. The second ship to be named after Buck was , a Sims-class destroyer, that served from 1939 until she was sunk during the invasion of Italy in 1943. The third and final ship to take its name from James Buck was , an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, which served from 1946 until 1973.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1808, Baltimore, Md. G.O. No.: 11, April 3, 1863. 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 8 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.

Notes

References

* 1808 births 1865 deaths Union Navy officers United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients Military personnel from Baltimore United States Navy sailors People of Maryland in the American Civil War American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor {{AmericanCivilWar-bio-stub

Biography

Honors

Medal of Honor citation

See also

Notes

References