James Ward

James Ward (born c. 1833, date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Born in 1833 in New York City, Ward was still living in the state of New York when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a quarter gunner on the . At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he was wounded as his ship engaged the at close range. Refusing to go below decks, he instead manned a gun after its crew had become casualties, and then took depth soundings ("heaved the lead") from platforms on the side of the ship's hull (known as the chains) until nearly being crushed when Lackawanna rammed Tennessee. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.