| James A. Stewart | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1839 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1868–1873 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | USS Plymouth |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
James A. Stewart (born 1839, year of death unknown) was a United States Marine and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
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Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1839, Stewart enlisted in the Marine Corps from that state on April 13, 1868.[1][2] By February 1, 1872, he was serving as a corporal on the USS Plymouth. On that day, while Plymouth was in the harbor of Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, Stewart jumped overboard and rescued a midshipman named Osterhaus from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on October 10.[1] Stewart was discharged from the Marine Corps as a sergeant on July 11, 1873.[2]
Stewart's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Plymouth, Stewart jumped overboard in the harbor of Villefranche, France, 1 February 1872 and saved Midshipman Osterhaus from drowning.[1]