The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman James Smith, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Kansas. Seaman Smith displayed great coolness and self-possession at the time Commander 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.