James McLeod (Medal of Honor)

James McLeod (born 1834 or 1841 [1]) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of a Medal of Honor (the U.S. military's highest decoration), for his actions at the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip.

The gravestone of James MacLeod in the Congressional Cemetery

James McLeod
Born	Scotland
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Captain of the Foretop
Unit	USS Colorado USS Pensacola
Battles/wars	American Civil War  • Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Awards	Medal of Honor

Born in Scotland, McLeod immigrated to the United States and was living in Bucksport, Maine when he joined the U.S. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a captain of the foretop on the USS Colorado. At the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip near New Orleans on April 24, 1862, he volunteered to join the USS Pensacola as captain of the aft howitzer gun and performed this duty "with great ability and activity". For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on April 3, 1863.[2][3]

McLeod's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Captain of foretop, and a volunteer from the Colorado, McLeod served on board the U.S.S. Pensacola during the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. Acting as gun captain of the rifled howitzer aft which was much exposed, he served this piece with great ability and activity, although no officer superintended it.[3]