James Haley (sailor)


James Haley was a Union Navy sailor in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for valor in action during the American Civil War.

Military service

Haley was born in Ireland in 1822. On June 19, 1864 he was serving as Captain of the Forecastle on the sloop of war when she sank the commerce raider off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while captaining a ship's gun.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain of the Forecastle, U.S. Navy
G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864
Haley's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Served as captain of the forecastle on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as captain of a gun during the bitter engagement, Haley exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly commended by his division officer for his gallantry and meritorious achievement under enemy fire.