James Cooney was born July 27, 1860, in Limerick, Ireland.  He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on August 19, 1889, and after training he was sent to fight in the Chinese Boxer Rebellion.  On January 24, 1902, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 13, 1900, at Tientsin, China.  He died on March 14, 1903, in Vallejo, California, and is buried in section D, row 10, plot 093 at Mare Island Naval Cemetery, California, the oldest naval cemetery on the Coast.

                    MARE ISLAND NAVAL CEMETERY

MEDAL  OF  HONOR  CERTIFICATE

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private James Cooney, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), in action in the presence of the enemy during the battle near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900.  Private Cooney distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)