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James F. Merton
US Navy Medal of Honor (1862 original).png
Medal of Honor recipient
Born 1843
Cheshire, England
Died Unknown
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch Seal of the United States Department of the Navy.svg United States Navy
Rank Landsman
Unit USS Colorado
Battles/wars Ganghwa Island
Korean Expedition
Awards Medal of Honor

James F. Merton was a brave sailor in the United States Navy. He was born in 1843 in Cheshire, England. He is remembered for his courage during a special mission to Korea in 1871. For his actions, he received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military.

What Was the Korean Expedition?

The Korean Expedition was a military mission in 1871. The United States sent ships to Korea. The goal was to make a treaty with Korea. This treaty would protect shipwrecked American sailors. It would also open up trade between the two countries.

The Battle at Ganghwa Island

The expedition faced strong resistance. Korean forts on Ganghwa Island fired on the American ships. The U.S. Navy decided to attack these forts. This led to a fierce battle.

Merton's Bravery in Battle

Landsman Merton was part of the American forces. He was a sailor on the ship USS Colorado. During the attack on the forts, the fighting was very intense. Landsman Merton showed great courage. He was severely wounded during the seizure of the forts. Despite his injuries, he continued to fight bravely.

The Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military award in the United States. It is given for extreme bravery. A person must show courage "above and beyond the call of duty." This means they did something incredibly brave. It is usually for actions during combat. James F. Merton earned this medal for his actions in Korea. His bravery helped the American forces succeed.

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