Joseph Fisher (soldier)

Joseph Fisher (August 24, 1843 – October 8, 1903) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Fisher received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Third Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on 2 April 1865. He was honored with the award on 16 January 1894.[1][2][3]

Joseph Fisher
Medal of Honor winner Joseph Fisher c1897
Born(1843-08-24)August 24, 1843
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedOctober 8, 1903(1903-10-08) (aged 60)
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Buried
Fernwood Cemetery, Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of serviceApril 21, 1861 to 1865
RankCorporal
Unit Company C, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry
Battles/warsThird Battle of Petersburg
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Fisher was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 24 August 1843. He first enlisted into a three-month service with the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in April 1861. After mustering out he reentered the service in September 1861, joining the 61st Pennsylvania Infantry. He went on to be promoted to corporal and, on 2 April 1865, performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor.

Fisher died on 8 October 1903 and his remains are interred at the Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Joseph Fisher, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 April 1865, while serving with Company C, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Petersburg, Virginia. Corporal Fisher carried the colors 50 yards in advance of his regiment, and after being painfully wounded attempted to crawl into the enemy's works in an endeavor to plant his flag thereon.[1][2]

See also

References
  1. "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  2. "Joseph Fisher". Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  3. "U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 8 December 2013.
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