Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Quartermaster John H. Nibbe received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 22, 1864 at Yazoo River, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Petrel. Nibbe was 16 years old.
Nibbe was born on November 25, 1847 in Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Nibbe died on June 15, 1902, at the age of 54. He is buried at Ivy Green Cemetery in Bremerton, Washington.
Nibbe 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
Served as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Peterel during its capture in Yazoo River, 22 April 1864. Standing his ground when a shot came through the stern, raking the gundeck and entering and exploding the boilers, when all the others had deserted the flag, Nibbe assisted in getting the wounded off the guard and proceeded to get ready to fire the ship despite the escaping steam from the boilers, at which time he was surrounded on all sides by the rebels and forced to surrender.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- November 25, 1847Born in Germany
- April 22, 1864Act of valor — Yazoo River, MississippiAge 16. U.S.S. Petrel
- June 15, 1902DiedAge 54.
- Resting placeIvy Green CemeteryBremerton, Washington
