James Thayer (Medal of Honor)
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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]
