James K. L. Duncan

Ordinary Seaman James Kelly Leeper Duncan was an American sailor who fought in the American Civil War. Duncan received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action aboard the on March 2, 1864. He was honored with the award on December 31, 1864.

Biography

Duncan was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on July 6, 1845. His parents were Jonathan F. Duncan and Agnes Harper Leeper. Duncan attended Monmouth College with the class of 1866 but did not return to college after leaving to join the Civil War fighting for the North.
Duncan enlisted into the Union Navy on June 26, 1863, in Chicago, Illinois. He was assigned to the tinclad steamer USS Fort Hindman at the time of his Medal of Honor action in March 1864. He was mustered out of service on July 8, 1864, in Red River, Louisiana. He reenlisted on March 4, 1865, and was discharged on July 13, 1866, in Pensacola, Florida.
Duncan married Lillian Jane Middlekauff on November 4, 1879, in Des Moines, Iowa; they had at least 6 children. In civilian life, he had a career as a physician. He was admitted to the Northwestern Branch Soldiers Home on May 2, 1910. He died on March 27, 1913, and his remains are interred at the Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.