Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
James E Sterling
Details
- Rank: Coal Heaver
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Brooklyn - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: August 5, 1864
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA
Citation
On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Although wounded when heavy enemy return-fire raked the decks of his ship, Sterling courageously remained at his post and continued passing shell until struck down a second time and completely disabled.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Maryland
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: 1838, Baltimore, Baltimore County, MD, United States
- Died: December 12, 1900, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Buried: Western Cemetery, Baltimore, MD, United States