The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private James E. Croft, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 5 October 1864, while serving with Battery 12, Wisconsin Light Artillery, in action at Allatoona, Georgia. Private Croft took the place of a gunner who had been shot down and inspired his comrades by his bravery and effective gunnery, which contributed largely to the defeat of the enemy.