James Kephart

Kephart was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania on April 22, 1842.^[1] He served as a private in Company C of the 13th U.S. Infantry of the Union Army during the American Civil War.^[1][2] He earned his medal in action at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi on May 19, 1863.^[3] Kephart's medal was issued on May 13, 1899.^[3] Kephart lived in Webster City, Iowa after the war where he served on the City Board of Education.^[3] He died in Gooding, Idaho on April 27, 1932, and is now buried there in Elmwood Cemetery.^[1]

For extraordinary heroism on 19 May 1863, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Private Kephart voluntarily and at the risk of his life, under a severe fire of the enemy, aided and assisted to the rear an officer who had been severely wounded and left on the field.^[3]