Rank Lieutenant | Unit USS Florida (BB-30) Name James Walsh | |
Born July 24, 1897
New York City ( 1897-07-24 ) Died May 29, 1960(1960-05-29) (aged 62) Place of burial Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York Allegiance United States of America | ||
Service/branch United States Navy | ||
James Aloysius Walsh (July 24, 1897 – May 29, 1960) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his role in the occupation of Veracruz. Only 16 at the time of his actions, he was possibly the youngest recipient of the Medal in the 20th century.
A native of New York City, Walsh joined the Navy from there and by April 21, 1914, was serving as a seaman on the USS Florida (BB-30). On that day and the next, he participated in the capture of the Mexican port city of Veracruz. For his "extraordinary heroism" during the battle, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two months later, on June 15.
Walsh reached the commissioned officer rank of lieutenant before leaving the Navy. He died at age 62 and was buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Florida; for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914.