James L. Lardner

James Lawrence Lardner (November 20, 1802 – April 12, 1881) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

Biography Born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the sixth son of John Lardner and Margaret (née Saltar) Lardner. Lardner was appointed midshipman on May 10, 1820. He served in the Pacific Squadron from 1821 to 1824, and joined the Mediterranean Squadron in 1825 after escorting General Lafayette in back to France.

He received promotion to lieutenant on May 17, 1828, and served as navigating officer of the sloop on her historic circumnavigation, and then served on the flagships of the Mediterranean, Brazil and Pacific Squadrons. In 1850 he sailed for the coast of Africa in the brig and was promoted to commander on May 17, 1851. Lardner spent three years as commander of Porpoise and the sloop-of-war in the Africa Squadron before returning to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1853. He was promoted to the rank of captain, on May 19, 1861.