James Smith (born 1838) was a seaman serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery. Biography Smith was born in 1838 in the Kingdom of Hawaii before it became part of the United States and after immigrating to the United States he joined the navy. His navy enlistment papers state that he was a "Sandwich Islander" (Hawaiian). He was stationed aboard the as a seaman when, on April 12, 1872, several members of the crew including the ship's captain were drowning near Greytown, Nicaragua. For his actions received the Medal of Honor July 9, 1872. Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Hawaiian Islands. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 176, 9 July 1872. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Kansas, Smith displayed great coolness and self-possession at the time Comdr. A. F. Crosman and others were drowned near Greytown, Nicaragua, 12 April 1872, and by extraordinary heroism and personal exertion, prevented greater loss of life. See also List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime References External links 1838 births American military personnel of Native Hawaiian descent Year of death missing United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients United States Navy sailors People from Hawaii Foreign-born Medal of Honor recipients Non-combat recipients of the Medal of Honor