Private James Hezikiah Luther, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 3, 1863 in Fredericksburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 7th Massachusetts Infantry. Luther was 22 years old.
29 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 28, 1890, 27 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Corporal.
Luther was born on January 24, 1841 in Dighton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Luther died on March 3, 1916 in North Dighton, Massachusetts, at the age of 75. He is buried at Westville Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.
Luther is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Among the first to jump into the enemy's rifle pits, he himself captured and brought out three prisoners.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- January 24, 1841Born in Dighton, Bristol County, Massachusetts
- May 3, 1863Act of valor — Fredericksburg, VirginiaAge 22. Company D, 7th Massachusetts Infantry
- June 28, 1890Medal of Honor presented
- March 3, 1916Died in North Dighton, MassachusettsAge 75.
- Resting placeWestville CemeteryTaunton, Massachusetts
Biography
James H. Luther (January 24, 1841 – March 3, 1916) was a private in the Union Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War. Luther joined the Army in June 1861, and mustered out with his regiment three years later.
From the Wikipedia article “James H. Luther”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
