Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant James Kastor Peirsol received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 5, 1865 at Paine's Crossroads, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 13th Ohio Cavalry. Peirsol was 21 years old.
13 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 3, 1865. He later rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Peirsol was born on September 21, 1843 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Waynesboro, Ohio. Peirsol died on March 1, 1927 in Claremont, California, at the age of 83. He is buried at Grove Cemetery in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
Peirsol is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capture of flag.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- September 21, 1843Born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania
- April 5, 1865Act of valor — Paine's Crossroads, VirginiaAge 21. Company F, 13th Ohio Cavalry
- May 3, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- March 1, 1927Died in Claremont, CaliforniaAge 83.
- Resting placeGrove CemeteryNew Brighton, Pennsylvania
