First Sergeant James L. Morris, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 8, 1873 at Fort Selden, New Mexico during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company C, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Morris was about 29 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 12, 1875, 2 years after the action.
Morris was born in 1844 in County Kerry, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Morris died on February 9, 1903 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of about 59. He is buried at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Morris is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Services against hostile Indians.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1844Born in County Kerry, Ireland
- July 8, 1873Act of valor — Fort Selden, New MexicoAge about 29. Company C, 8th U.S. Cavalry
- August 12, 1875Medal of Honor presented
- February 9, 1903Died in Albuquerque, New MexicoAge about 59.
- Resting placeFairview Memorial ParkAlbuquerque, New Mexico