The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Carpenter’s Mate Mark G. Ham, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Performing his duties intelligently and faithfully, Carpenter’s Mate Ham distinguished himself in the face of the bitter enemy fire and was highly commended by his divisional officer.