James McLeod (Medal of Honor)

James McLeod
Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor
Born	varying 1836 to 1840 recorded on ten Naval enlistments Glasgow, Scotland
Died	June 5, 1898 either on the hospital ship USS Solace (AH-2) or at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital
Place of burial	Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York City
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service / branch	United States Navy Union Navy
Years of service	1861 - 1898
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

James McLeod (b. 1836 to 1840 - d. June 5, 1898) 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.

Born in Glasgow, 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.^[1][2]

Rank and organization: Captain of the Foretop, U.S. Navy. Born: Scotland. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863.

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.^[2]

• James McLeod at Find a Grave