James Meredith / Patrick F. Ford, Jr.

Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

Medal of Honor Recipient

Spanish-American War

Sergeant James Meredith (11 April 1872 -18 January 1915) was a U.S. Marine who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Spanish-American War.

James Meredith was born 11 April 1872 in Omaha, NE. After entering the Marine Corps in 1896, he was sent to fight in the Spanish-American War aboard the USS Marblehead.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. (Name changed to Patrick F. Ford, Jr.)

Citation: On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Meredith displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

After serving with the Navy, he legally changed his name to Patrick F. Ford, Jr.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Patrick F. Ford, Jr. died on 18 January 1915. He is buried at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Omaha, NE, and his name is included on the Ford family headstone.