James H. Lee (1840 – August 9, 1877) was an American
sailor who received the
Medal of Honor for valor in action during the
American Civil War.
Biography
Lee was born on
Long Island, New York
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18th ...
in 1840
[
but his family moved to Buffalo while he was still a small child. Orphaned before the age of 10, he lived in ]Baldwinsville
Baldwinsville is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 7,898 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Baldwinsville (the village itself) is located in the towns of Lysand ...
and North Stirling in upstate New York. He went to sea as a young man and embarked on a 3-year voyage in the Pacific Ocean. The Civil War had broken out by the time he returned to the United States and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, reporting for duty at Boston.[
On June 19, 1864 he was serving as a Seaman on the ]sloop of war
In the 18th century and most of the 19th, a sloop-of-war in the Royal Navy was a warship with a single gun deck that carried up to eighteen guns. The rating system covered all vessels with 20 guns and above; thus, the term ''sloop-of-war'' enc ...
when she fought the commerce raider off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire while serving as the sponger of the ship's Number 1 gun.[ Lee didn't learn about his commendation until after he was discharged from the Navy, and said he had no idea what he had done during the battle to distinguish himself so highly.][
After the war, Lee took up residence in ]Oswego, New York
Oswego () is a city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 16,921 at the 2020 census. Oswego is located on Lake Ontario in Upstate New York, about 35 miles (55km) northwest of Syracuse. It promotes itself as "The Port C ...
. He was noted by his neighbors as an intelligent and honest man who was "untiring in the discharge of every duty."[ of a " brain fever", probably a case of either ]encephalitis
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. The severity can be variable with symptoms including reduction or alteration in consciousness, headache, fever, confusion, a stiff neck, and vomiting. Complications may include seizures, hallucinations, ...
or meningitis
Meningitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, collectively called the meninges. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Other symptoms include confusion or ...
. He was buried in Oswego Rural Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1840, New York. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.
Citation:
Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, June 19, 1864. Acting as sponger of the No. 1 gun during this bitter engagement, Lee exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer.
See also
* List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L
References
:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, James H.
1840 births
1877 deaths
Union Navy sailors
United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
People of New York (state) in the American Civil War
American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor