Second Lieutenant James David Vernay, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 22, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 11th Illinois Infantry. Vernay was 28 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 1, 1898, 34 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Major.
Vernay was born on December 24, 1834 in Lacon, Marshall County, Illinois. Vernay died on July 19, 1918 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 83. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by National Civil War Museum (1863 & 1904 designs), Harrisburg, PA.
Vernay is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served gallantly as a volunteer with the crew of the steamer Horizon that, under a heavy fire, passed the Confederate batteries.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- December 24, 1834Born in Lacon, Marshall County, Illinois
- April 22, 1863Act of valor — Vicksburg, MississippiAge 28. Company B, 11th Illinois Infantry
- April 1, 1898Medal of Honor presented
- July 19, 1918Died in Washington, District of ColumbiaAge 83.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
James D. Vernay (December 24, 1834 – July 19, 1918) was an American soldier in the American Civil War who was awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal was granted on 1 April 1898 for Vernay's actions as a Second Lieutenant with the 11th Illinois Infantry at the Battle of Vicksburg on 22 April 1863. Born in Lacon, Illinois, Vernay died on 19 July 1918 and is now interred in Arlington National Cemetery.
From the Wikipedia article “James D. Vernay”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
