b. 21/09/1836 Samsoe, Denmark. d. 04/03/1914 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 25/12/1863 off Legareville, Stono River, John’s Island, South Carolina.
James Miller MOH
Of Norwegian descent, Miller was born in Denmark on September 21, 1836, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Massachusetts. He served aboard the steam gunboat USS Marblehead. During the Battle of Legareville on John’s Island (near Legareville, South Carolina) by the Stono River on December 25, 1863, he continued to take soundings while under fire. For his conduct on this occasion, Quartermaster James Miller received the Medal of Honor and promoted to Acting Master’s Mate.
Miller died on March 4, 1914, at age 77 and was buried in Philadelphia. The destroyer USS Miller (DD-535), which served in World War II and the Korean War, was named in his honour.
MOH CITATION:
Served as quartermaster on board the U.S. steam gunboat Marblehead off Legareville, Stono River, 25 December 1863, during an engagement with the enemy on John’s Island. Acting courageously under the fierce hostile fire, Miller behaved gallantly throughout the engagement, which resulted in the enemy’s withdrawal and abandonment of his arms.
BURIAL LOCATION: FERNWOOD CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION 29, LOT 620.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
