Private James Dunlavy was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 25, 1864 in Osage, Kansas during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 3d Iowa Cavalry. Dunlavy was 20 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 4, 1865.
Dunlavy was born on February 4, 1844 in Decatur County, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. Dunlavy died on March 6, 1923 in Enid, Oklahoma, at the age of 79. He is buried at Maramec I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Maramec, Oklahoma.
Dunlavy is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 55 credited to Iowa.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in capturing Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke, C.S.A.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Timeline
- February 4, 1844Born in Decatur County, Indiana
- October 25, 1864Act of valor — Osage, KansasAge 20. Company D, 3d Iowa Cavalry
- April 4, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- March 6, 1923Died in Enid, OklahomaAge 79.
- Resting placeMaramec I.O.O.F. CemeteryMaramec, Oklahoma
Biography
James Dunlavy (February 4, 1844 – March 6, 1923) was an American soldier who fought for the Union Army in the American Civil War. Dunlavy received the Medal of Honor for capturing Confederate Major General John Sappington Marmaduke at the Battle of Mine Creek on October 25, 1864.
From the Wikipedia article “James Dunlavy”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- James Dunlavy: Civil War Gallantry in Kansascmohs.org · 2025
- How Private Dunlavy Earned the Medal of Honor by Capturing an Enemy Generalmilitary.com · 2021
