James Stoddard (sailor)

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James Stoddard was a sailor in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

Stoddard was born at Port Robinson, C.W. (Canada West), around 1838. On 21 September 1863, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Detroit, Michigan. While serving in Marmora near Yazoo City, Miss., he was sent ashore, in the crew of a rifled howitzer mounted on a field carriage, to help repulse a Confederate attack on the town. He and his comrades defended their gun against superior forces, often engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Stoddard was wounded in the neck during the action, but recovered to receive the award of a medal and a promotion to Acting Master's Mate, on 14 April 1864, for his courageous stand.

[edit] Namesake

In 1944, the destroyer USS Stoddard (DD-566) was named in his honor.

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This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.