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Photo # NH 48048: Commander James J. Madison, USNRF, wearing the Medal of Honor, circa 1919

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Commander James J. Madison, USNRF, 1888-1922

James Jonas Madison was born on 20 May 1888 at Jersey City, New Jersey. A commercial mariner since his mid-teens, he was Master of a Luckenbach Line ship prior to World War I and enrolled as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force in May 1917, soon after the United States entered the conflict. Madison was later promoted to Lieutenant Commander and in January 1918 became the Commanding Officer of USS Ticonderoga, which was placed in commission at that time.

On 30 September 1918 his ship encountered the German submarine U-152 in the mid-Atlantic and fought a long, losing gunnery duel. Seriously wounded early in the battle, Lieutenant Commander Madison remained on the bridge controlling Ticonderoga's fight until she had to be abandoned. Though incapacitated by loss of blood, he subsequently survived four days in a lifeboat. For his "exceptionally heroic service" during this action, Lieutenant Commander Madison was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Promoted to the rank of Commander in mid-1919, Madison was retired in August 1920. The effects of his combat injuries kept him hospitalized for much of the rest of his life, and he underwent several operations, one of which involved the amputation of a leg. Commander James J. Madison died on 25 December 1922 at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, New York.

USS Madison (DD-425), of 1940-1969, was named in honor of James J. Madison.

This page features all the views we have concerning Commander James J. Madison.


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Photo #: NH 48048

Commander James J. Madison, USNRF


Portrait photograph, taken circa 1919, showing him wearing the Medal of Honor (Tiffany Cross).
He received the medal for "exceptionally heroic service in a position of great responsibility" while serving as Commanding Officer of USS Ticonderoga (ID # 1958) on 30 September 1918, when she was sunk in combat with the German submarine U-152.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48KB; 460 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 79445

Commander James J. Madison, USNRF


Halftone reproduction of a portrait photograph taken circa 1919, published in the book Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy, page 121.
Commander Madison was awarded the Medal of Honor for "exceptionally heroic service in a position of great responsibility" while serving as Commanding Officer of USS Ticonderoga (ID # 1958) on 30 September 1918, when she was sunk in combat with the German submarine U-152. He held the rank of Lieutenant Commander at that time.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 74KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Commander James J. Madison, USNRF (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 121):

"For exceptionally heroic service in a position of great responsibility as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga, when, on 4 October 1918 (sic: actually 30 September 1918), that vessel was attacked by an enemy submarine and was sunk after a prolonged and gallant resistance. The submarine opened fire at a range of 500 yards, the first shots taking effect on the bridge and forecastle, one of the two forward guns of the Ticonderoga being disabled by the second shot. The fire was returned and the fight continued for nearly 2 hours. Lieutenant Commander Madison was severely wounded early in the fight, but caused himself to be placed in a chair on the bridge and continued to direct the fire and to maneuver the ship. When the order was finally given to abandon the sinking ship, he became unconscious from loss of blood, but was lowered into a lifeboat and was saved, with 31 others, out of a total number of 236 on board."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 27 September 2006