James Seanor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Seanor
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|---|---|
| Born | 1833 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Rank | Master-at-Arms |
| Unit | USS Vincennes USS Chickasaw |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War • Battle of Mobile Bay |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
James Seanor (born in 1833) was a brave sailor in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He earned the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He received this special award for his heroic actions during the Battle of Mobile Bay.
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James Seanor was born in 1833 in Boston, Massachusetts. When he joined the Navy, he was living in New York. He served as a master-at-arms on a ship called the USS Vincennes. A master-at-arms is a senior sailor who helps keep order and discipline on the ship.
Volunteering for Battle
Even though their time in the Navy was almost over, Seanor and another sailor named Andrew Jones chose to keep fighting. They volunteered to transfer to another ship, the USS Chickasaw. This was so they could take part in a very important fight called the Battle of Mobile Bay.
The Battle of Mobile Bay
The Battle of Mobile Bay happened on August 5, 1864. During this battle, James Seanor and Andrew Jones showed great courage. They "carried out [their] duties gallantly," which means they performed their jobs bravely and skillfully. For their actions, both Seanor and Jones were given the Medal of Honor. They received this award about four months later, on December 31, 1864.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military award for bravery in the United States. James Seanor earned this award for his actions during the Battle of Mobile Bay.
His official Medal of Honor citation explains his bravery:
Seanor served as a master-at-arms on the U.S. Ironclad Chickasaw during the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. Even though his time in the Navy was finished, Seanor volunteered to join the battle. He moved from the Vincennes to the Chickasaw. He performed his duties bravely throughout the entire battle. This battle led to the capture of the enemy ship, the rebel ram Tennessee.
