Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Surgeon James Harry Thompson received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 14, 1862 in New Bern, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S. Volunteers. Thompson was about 38 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 11, 1870, 8 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Major.
Thompson was born in 1824. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. Thompson died on November 4, 1896 in Great Yarmouth, England, at the age of about 72.
Thompson 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
Voluntarily reconnoitered the enemy's position and carried orders under the hottest fire.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1824Born
- March 14, 1862Act of valor — New Bern, North CarolinaAge about 38. U.S. Volunteers
- November 11, 1870Medal of Honor presented
- November 4, 1896Died in Great Yarmouth, EnglandAge about 72.
