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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

James Lenihan

Private James Lenihan, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on January 2, 1873 at Clear Creek, Arizona during the Indian Campaigns.

Indian Campaigns January 2, 1873Born in Ireland

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private James Lenihan received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 2, 1873 at Clear Creek, Arizona during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company K, 5th U.S. Cavalry. Lenihan was about 27 years old.

The medal was presented on April 12, 1875, 2 years after the action.

Lenihan was born in 1846 in County Kerry, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Washington.

Lenihan is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 40 credited to Washington.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in action.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. 1846
    Born in County Kerry, Ireland
  2. January 2, 1873
    Act of valor — Clear Creek, Arizona
    Age about 27. Company K, 5th U.S. Cavalry
  3. April 12, 1875
    Medal of Honor presented

Same unit

GH George Hooker Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1873 ✦ RS Rudolph Stauffer First Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872

More Indian Campaigns recipients from Washington

JC John E. Clancy Musician · Army Indian Campaigns · 1890 BM Bernard McBride Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1868 SP Samuel Porter Farrier · Army Indian Campaigns · 1870 LW Lewis Warrington First Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.