James Martin, II

James Martin, II (1826-October 29, 1895) was a sergeant serving in the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Biography
Martin was born in 1826 in Derry, Ireland, and after immigrating to the United States, entered the Marine Corps from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1847. He was a sergeant assigned to the marine detachment aboard the U.S.S. Richmond when it was sent to fight in the American Civil War during the Battle of Mobile Bay.

He retired from the Marine Corps with 32 years of service and after reenlisting seven times. He died October 29, 1895 and is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His grave can be found in the naval asylum plot.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1826, Derry, Ireland. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No: 45, 31 December 1864.

Citation:

"As captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Sgt. Martin fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan."