Boatswain's Mate James Byrnes, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry between January 10 and 11, 1863 at Fort Hindman, Arkansas during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Louisville. Byrnes was about 25 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Master's Mate.
Byrnes was born in 1838 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Byrnes died on February 9, 1882 in New York City, New York, at the age of about 44. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York. Records also list him as Fisher, James.
Byrnes is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served on board the U.S.S. Louisville. Carrying out his duties through the thick of battle and acting as captain of a 9-inch gun, Byrnes consistently showed "Attention to duty, bravery, and coolness in action against the enemy."
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- 1838Born in Ireland
- January 10 - 11, 1863Act of valor — Fort Hindman, ArkansasAge about 25. U.S.S. Louisville
- February 9, 1882Died in New York City, New YorkAge about 44.
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryWoodside, New York
Biography
Boatswain's Mate James Byrnes (born James Fisher; 1838 – February 9, 1882) was an Irish sailor who fought in the American Civil War. Byrnes received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action aboard the USS Louisville during the Battle of Fort Hindman. He was honored with the award on 3 April 1863.
From the Wikipedia article “James Byrnes (sailor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
