James Tallentine, USN, Medal of Honor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Quarter Gunner James Tallentine, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Quarter Gunner on board the U.S.S. Tacony during the taking of Plymouth, North Carolina, 31 October 1864. Carrying out his duties faithfully during the capture of Plymouth, Quarter Gunner Tallentine distinguished himself by a display of coolness when he participated in landing and spiking a 9-inch gun while under devastating fire from enemy musketry. Quarter Gunner Tallentine later gave his life while courageously engaged in storming Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 45 (December 31, 1864)

Action Date: October 31, 1864

Service: Navy

Rank: Quarter Gunner

Division: U.S.S. Tacony

http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/1341/tallentine-james.php

Quarter Gunner James Tallentine who died during the assault on Fort Fisher, would become one of the few posthumous recipients of the Medal during the Civil War - but he earned it on 31 October, 1864 during the taking of Plymouth, NC, and was killed before the Medal was approved.

http://thedonovan.com/archives/2010/01/todays_medal_of_229.html