James Thayer (Medal of Honor)

James Thayer (1853–1886)[1] was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

James Thayer
Born1853
Ireland
DiedApril 16, 1886(1886-04-16) (aged 32–33) [1]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Place of burial
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankShip's Corporal
UnitUSS Constitution
AwardsMedal of Honor

Born in 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]

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References

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