Established early in the Civil War to "promote efficiency in the Navy", the Medal of Honor rose to prominence in American history and heritage. Only slightly more than 3,500 Americans have been awarded Medals of Honor, and today only 78 of them survive. These heroes are a vanishing breed whose valiant history MUST be preserved for future generations. That heritage is nurtured and sustained on the ground floor of the Hall of Heroes.
This series is to honor the Heroes of the United States Marine Corps who have been awarded the Nation’s highest military honor since its inception. This series is placed along a bike trail. DO NOT access these caches from the road. These caches are placed between the trail and the roadway.
moh_navy_orig.gif (5895 bytes) The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to ROANTREE, JAMES S. Rank and Organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1835, Dublin, Ireland. Accredited To: New York. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Oneida during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks and penetrated her boilers, Sgt. Roantree performed his duties with skill and courage throughout the furious battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.