Gunner's Mate Charles James Bibber, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 23, 1864 at Fort Fisher, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Agawam. Bibber was 27 years old.
8 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 12, 1865.
Bibber was born on March 22, 1837 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. Bibber died on October 8, 1883 in Revere, Massachusetts, at the age of 46. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Massachusetts.
Bibber is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 66 credited to Maine.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Bibber served on board the U.S.S. Agawam, as one of a volunteer crew of a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher, 23 December 1864. The powder boat, towed in by the Wilderness to prevent detection by the enemy, cast off and slowly steamed to within 300 yards of the beach. After fuses and fires had been lit and a second anchor with short scope let go to assure the boat's tailing inshore, the crew again boarded the Wilderness and proceeded a distance of 12 miles from shore. Less than two hours later the explosion took place, and the following day fires were observed still burning at the forts.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Timeline
- March 22, 1837Born in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
- December 23, 1864Act of valor — Fort Fisher, North CarolinaAge 27. U.S.S. Agawam
- May 12, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- October 8, 1883Died in Revere, MassachusettsAge 46.
- Resting placeWoodlawn CemeteryEverett, Massachusetts
Biography
Gunner's Mate Charles J. Bibber (born 1838) was an American sailor who fought in the American Civil War. Bibber received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the First Battle of Fort Fisher aboard the USS Agawam on December 23, 1864.
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