James F. Merton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James F. Merton
|
|
|---|---|
.png)
Medal of Honor recipient
|
|
| Born | 1843 Cheshire, England |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 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.
Contents
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.
Related pages
