James Thayer (c. 1853–1886) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
James Thayer | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1853 |
| Died | April 16, 1886 (aged 32–33)[1] |
| Place of burial | Old Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
Branch | United States Navy |
Rank | Ship's Corporal |
| Unit | USS Constitution |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Born in about 1853 in Ireland, Thayer immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from Pennsylvania. By November 16, 1879, he was serving as a ship's corporal on the USS Constitution. On that day, while Constitution was at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, he rescued a young shipmate from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor five years later, on October 18, 1884.[2]
Thayer's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For rescuing from drowning a boy serving with him on the U.S.S. Constitution, at the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., 16 November 1879.[2]
He died on April 16, 1886, and was interred at Old Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia.[3]
See also
edit
References
edit- ↑ "James Thayer". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Archived from the original on May 14, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
- ↑ Longwell, Lance (20 September 2021). "Old Cathedral Cemetery: Philadelphia Immigration Story". guidetophilly.com. LL-Squared LLC. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
External links
edit- "James Thayer". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 26, 2010.