Captain James Rowan O'Beirne was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 1, 1862 in Fair Oaks, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 37th New York Infantry. O'Beirne was 17 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 20, 1891, 28 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General.
O'Beirne was born on September 25, 1844 in Roscommon, County Ballagh, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. O'Beirne died on February 17, 1917, at the age of 72. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.
O'Beirne 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
Gallantly maintained the line of battle until ordered to fall back.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- September 25, 1844Born in Roscommon, County Ballagh, Ireland
- June 1, 1862Act of valor — Fair Oaks, VirginiaAge 17. Company C, 37th New York Infantry
- January 20, 1891Medal of Honor presented
- February 17, 1917DiedAge 72.
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryWoodside, New York
Further reading
- Continuing Service: Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Recipientscmohs.org · 2022
