James K. L. Duncan
James K. L. Duncan | |
|---|---|
 An illustration of Duncan throwing a burning cartridge overboard on USS Fort Hindman | |
| Birth name | James Kelly Leeper Duncan |
| Born | July 6, 1845 Washington County, Pennsylvania, U.S.[a] |
| Died | March 27, 1913 (aged 67) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.[1] |
| Buried | Wood National Cemetery, Milwaukee |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1863–1864, 1865–1866 |
| Rank | Ordinary Seaman |
| Unit | USS Fort Hindman |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
| Alma mater | Monmouth College |
| Other work | Physician |
Ordinary Seaman James Kelly Leeper Duncan[1] (July 6, 1845 – March 27, 1913) was an American sailor who fought in the American Civil War. Duncan received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action aboard the USS Fort Hindman on March 2, 1864. He was honored with the award on December 31, 1864.[4][5]
Biography
[edit]Duncan was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania,[a] on July 6, 1845. His parents were Jonathan F. Duncan and Agnes Harper Leeper.[1] Duncan attended Monmouth College with the class of 1866 but did not return to college after leaving to join the Civil War fighting for the North.[6]
Duncan enlisted into the Union Navy on June 26, 1863, in Chicago, Illinois. He was assigned to the tinclad steamer USS Fort Hindman at the time of his Medal of Honor action in March 1864.[7] He was mustered out of service on July 8, 1864, in Red River, Louisiana. He reenlisted on March 4, 1865, and was discharged on July 13, 1866, in Pensacola, Florida.
Duncan married Lillian Jane Middlekauff (1860–1926) on November 4, 1879 in Des Moines, Iowa;[8][b] they had at least 6 children.[1] In civilian life, he had a career as a physician. He was admitted to the Northwestern Branch Soldiers Home on May 2, 1910.[10] He died on March 27, 1913, and his remains are interred at the Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Medal of Honor citation
[edit]Served on board the U.S.S. Fort Hindman during the engagement near Harrisonburg, Louisiana, 2 March 1864. Following a shellburst at one of the guns which started a fire at the cartridge tie, Ordinary Seaman Duncan immediately seized the burning cartridge, took it from the gun and threw it overboard, despite the immediate danger to himself. Carrying out his duties through the entire engagement, Duncan served courageously during this action in which the Fort Hindman was raked severely with shot and shell from the enemy guns.[4][5]
See also
[edit]
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
- Hugh Molloy, who also received the Medal of Honor for action during the same engagement as Duncan
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Sources differ as to Duncan's place of birth: FamilySearch lists Washington, Pennsylvania (the county seat of Washington County);[1] the Congressional Medal of Honor Society lists "Frankfort Mineral Springs, Washington County, PA" (there is a Frankfort Springs, Pennsylvania, but it is located in Beaver County);[2] and the Naval History and Heritage Command lists "Frankfort, PA" (ambiguous).[3]
- ^ Legal notices in the Nebraska City News-Press indicate that Duncan sued his wife for divorce on December 20, 1900.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "James Kelly Leeper Duncan". FamilySearch. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ "James K. L Duncan". cmohs.org. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ "NH 79922 James K.L. Duncan, Ordinary Seaman, USN". history.navy.mil. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "Civil War (A–L) Medal of Honor Recipients". U.S. Army Center Of Military History. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "James K. L. Duncan". Military Times Hall of Valor. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ "War Memorial Tribute". The Henderson County Quill. Vol. 94, no. 4. Stronghurst, Illinois. May 29, 1985. p. 3. Retrieved January 25, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "The Roll of Honor". Portland Daily Press. New York Evening Post. May 12, 1864. p. 1. Retrieved January 25, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mrs. L. J. Duncan, Aged Patriotic Worker, Dead". The Salt Lake Tribune. December 3, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved January 25, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legal Notice". Nebraska City News-Press. Nebraska City, Nebraska. December 21, 1900. p. 2. Retrieved January 25, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "(image)". Ancestry.com. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
Further reading
[edit]- W. F. Beyer and O. F. Keydel, ed. (1906). Deeds of Valor: From Records in the Archives of the United States Government. Vol. 2. The Perrien-Keydel Company. p. 53. Retrieved January 26, 2025 – via Google Books.