James F. Merton
Landsman, U.S. Navy

James F. Merton was born in 1843 in Cheshire, England.

On 9 and 10 June 1871, Landsman Merton was serving on the USS Colorado during the Korean Expedition.

The U.S. Expedition to Korea in 1871, also known as Sinmiyangyo (Western Disturbance of the Year Sinmi year), was the first American military action in Korea. It took place predominantly on and around the Korean island of Ganghwa. The reason for the presence of the American military expeditionary force in Korea was to support an American diplomatic delegation sent to establish trade and diplomatic relations with Korea and to ascertain the fate of the General Sherman merchant ship.

On 10 October 1872, James F. Merton was a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions on 9 and 10 June 1871.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Birth: England. G.O. No.: 180, 10 October 1872.

Citation:

Landsman and member of Company D during the capture of the Korean forts, 9 and 10 June 1871, Merton was severely wounded in the arm while trying to force his way into the fort.