James Douglas Blackwood was born on 12 November 1881 in Philadelphia. He enrolled in the Naval Coast Defense Reserve as an Assistant Surgeon on 14 April 1917. He served on transports in the Atlantic during World War I, earning the Navy Cross for attending the sick and wounded when troop transport USS President Lincoln was torpedoed on 31 May 1918.
James Douglas Blackwood was born on 12 November 1881 in Philadelphia. He enlisted as a medical officer in the Naval Coast Defense Reserve on 14 April 1917. He served on ships in the Atlantic during World War I, earning the Navy Cross for caring for the sick and wounded when troop ship USS President Lincoln was attacked by a torpedo on 31 May 1918.