List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Second Battle of Fort Fisher

The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union Army and naval forces against the Confederate Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the American Civil War. Sometimes referred to as the "Gibraltar of the South" and the last major coastal stronghold of the Confederacy, Fort Fisher had tremendous strategic value during the war.

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.[1]

Recipients

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Unit Notes
Anderson, BruceBruce Anderson Army Private January 15, 1865 Company K, 142nd New York Infantry ”Voluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading”
Anglin, JohnJohn Anglin Navy Cabin Boy 24 December 1864 to 22 January 1865 USS Pontoosuc (1864) Carried out his duties while under the fire of the enemy
Barnum, JamesJames Barnum Navy Boatswain's Mate December 24–25, 1864 and January 13–15, 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862) ”[Was] commended for highly meritorious conduct” during an all day battle between his ship and Fort Fisher
Barter, Gurdon H.Gurdon H. Barter Navy Landsman January 15, 1865 USS Minnesota (1855) ”Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, he advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed and wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark, when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms, and its colors.”
Bass, David L.David L. Bass Navy Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855) ”Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, S/man Bass advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed and wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark, when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms, and its colors”
Bazaar, PhilipPhilip Bazaar Navy Ordinary Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Santiago de Cuba Was one of six men who entered the fort in an assault and accompanied his party in carrying dispatches at the height of the battle
Betham, AsaAsa Betham Navy Coxswain 24 December 1864, to 22 January 1865 USS Pontoosuc (1864)
Binder, RichardRichard Binder Marine Corps Sergeant 24 and December 25, 1864, and 13 to January 15, 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Blair, Robert M.Robert M. Blair Navy Boatswain's Mate 24 December 1864 to 22 January 1865 USS Pontoosuc (1864)
Bowman, Edward R.Edward R. Bowman Navy Quartermaster 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862) Although severely wounded he continued to perform his duties throughout the action
Burton, AlbertAlbert Burton Navy Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Wabash (1855)
Campbell, WilliamWilliam Campbell Navy Boatswain's Mate 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Chapin, Alaric B.Alaric B. Chapin Army Private 15 January 1865 Company G, 142d New York Infantry "[V]oluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading"
Connor, ThomasThomas Connor Navy Ordinary Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855)
Curtis, Newton MartinNewton Martin Curtis Army Brigadier General 15 January 1865 U.S. Volunteers Was the first to pass through the stockade and although being wounded 4 times led each assault on the traverses of the fort
Dempster, JohnJohn Dempster Navy Coxswain 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862)
Dunn, WilliamWilliam Dunn Navy Quartermaster 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865 USS Monadnock (1863)
English, ThomasThomas English Navy Signal Quartermaster 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862)
Foy, Charles H.Charles H. Foy Navy Signal Quartermaster 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Rhode Island (1861)
Freeman, William H.William H. Freeman Army Private 15 January 1865 Company B, 169th New York Infantry "Volunteered to carry the brigade flag after the bearer was wounded"
Fry, Isaac N.Isaac N. Fry Marine Corps Orderly Sergeant 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Griffiths, JohnJohn Griffiths Navy Captain of the Forecastle 15 January 1865 USS Santiago de Cuba (1861) While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
Haffee, EdmundEdmund Haffee Navy Quarter Gunner 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862)
Harcourt, ThomasThomas Harcourt Navy Ordinary Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855)
Hayden, Joseph B.Joseph B. Hayden Navy Quartermaster 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Jones, ThomasThomas Jones Navy Coxswain 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Kane, ThomasThomas Kane Navy Captain of the Hold 15 January 1865 USS Nereus (1863)
Lear, NicholasNicholas Lear Navy Quartermaster 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862)
Merrill, GeorgeGeorge Merrill Army Private 15 January 1865 Company I, 142d New York Infantry "Voluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading"
Milliken, DanielDaniel Milliken Navy Quarter Gunner 24 and 25 December 1864_ and 13,14 and 15 January 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862)
Mills, CharlesCharles Mills Navy Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855)
Neahr, Zachariah C.Zachariah C. Neahr Army Private 16 January 1865 Company K, 142d New York Infantry Voluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading
Pennypacker, GalushaGalusha Pennypacker Army Colonel 15 January 1865 97th Pennsylvania Infantry "Gallantly led the charge over a traverse and planted the colors of one of his regiments thereon, was severely wounded"
Prance, GeorgeGeorge Prance Navy Captain of the Main Top 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Province, GeorgeGeorge Province Navy Ordinary Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Santiago de Cuba (1861) While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
Rannahan, JohnJohn Rannahan Marine Corps Corporal 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855)
Savage, AuzellaAuzella Savage Navy Ordinary Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)
Shepard, Louis C.Louis C. Shepard Navy Ordinary Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Wabash (1855)
Shipman, WilliamWilliam Shipman Navy Coxswain 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Shivers, JohnJohn Shivers Marine Corps Private 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855)
Sommers, RobertRobert Sommers Navy Chief Quartermaster 13 to 15 January 1865 USS Ticonderoga (1862)
Stevens, Daniel D.Daniel D. Stevens Navy Quartermaster 13 January 1865 USS Canonicus
Swanson, JohnJohn Swanson Navy Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Santiago de Cuba (1861) While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
Swatton, EdwardEdward Swatton Navy Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Santiago de Cuba (1861) While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
Thompson, Henry A.Henry A. Thompson Marine Corps Private 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855)
Tomlin, Andrew J.Andrew J. Tomlin Marine Corps Corporal 15 January 1865 USS Wabash (1855)
Tripp, OthnielOthniel Tripp Navy Chief Boatswain's Mate 15 January 1865 USS Seneca (1861) "Despite severe enemy fire which halted an attempt by his assaulting party to enter the stockade, Tripp boldly charged through the gap in the stockade although the center of the line, being totally unprotected, fell back along the open beach and left too few in the ranks to attempt an offensive operation."
Wainwright, JohnJohn Wainwright Army First Lieutenant 15 January 1865 Company F, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry "Gallant and meritorious conduct, where, as first lieutenant, he commanded the regiment."
Webster, Henry S.Henry S. Webster Navy Landsman 15 January 1865 USS Susquehanna (1850)
White, JosephJoseph White Navy Coxswain 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13,14, and 15 January 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862)
Wilcox, Franklin L.Franklin L. Wilcox Navy Ordinary Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Minnesota (1855)
Williams, AugustusAugustus Williams Navy Seaman 15 January 1865 USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)
Willis, RichardRichard Willis Navy Coxswain 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14 and 15 January 1865 USS New Ironsides (1862)

Notes

  1. ^ "A Brief History—The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. August 8, 2006. http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/pis/med_of_honor.html. Retrieved February 9, 2010. 

References

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