James Seanor facts for kids

James Seanor (born 1833, date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War. He was also a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He received it for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Biography

Seanor was born in 1833 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was living in New York when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a master-at-arms on the USS Vincennes. Although their enlistments had expired, Seanor and crewmate Andrew Jones voluntarily transferred to the USS Chickasaw to fight in the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. During the battle they "carried out [their] duties gallantly" according to the Medal of Honor citation. For this action, both Seanor and Jones were awarded the Medal of Honor four months later on December 31, 1864.

Seanor's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Served as master-at-arms on board the U.S. Ironclad Chickasaw, Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Although his enlistment was up, Seanor volunteered for the battle of Mobile Bay, going on board the Chickasaw from the Vincennes where he carried out his duties gallantly throughout the engagement which resulted in the capture of the rebel ram Tennessee.

Medal of Honor