James Seanor

Who is James Seanor?

James Seanor was a Master-at-Arms in the Union Navy who served during the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Born in 1833 in Boston, Massachusetts, Seanor was living in New York when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a master-at-arms on the USS Vincennes. Although their enlistments had expired, Seanor and crewmate Andrew Jones voluntarily transferred to the USS Chickasaw to fight in the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, during which they "carried out [their] duties gallantly". For this action, both Seanor and Jones were awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.

Seanor's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Served as Master-at-Arms on board the U.S. Ironclad Chickasaw, Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Although his enlistment was up, Seanor volunteered for the battle of Mobile Bay, going on board the Chickasaw from the Vincennes where he carried out his duties gallantly throughout the engagement which resulted in the capture of the rebel ram Tennessee.