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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
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.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
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." |
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Page made 27 September 2006