The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
MADISON, JAMES JONAS
Rank and Organization: Lieutenant Commander,
U.S. Naval Reserve Force. Born: 20 May 1884, Jersey City, N.J. Appointed from:
Mississippi.
Citation:
For exceptionally heroic service in a position of great responsibility as commanding
officer of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga, when, on 4 October 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, 1 of the 2 forward guns of the Ticonderoga being disabled by the second shot.
The fire was returned and the fight continued for nearly 2 hours. Lt. Comdr. 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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