List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Second Battle of Fort Fisher facts for kids

The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a big attack by the Union Army and Navy during the American Civil War. They were fighting against Fort Fisher, a strong Confederate fort near Wilmington, North Carolina. This fort was super important because it was the last big port for the Confederacy. It was even called the "Gibraltar of the South" because it was so tough to capture!

During this battle, 54 brave Union soldiers and sailors earned the Medal of Honor. This special medal is the highest award a person can get in the United States military.

What is the Medal of Honor?

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War. It is the highest award given by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. To receive it, a person must show amazing bravery. They must go "above and beyond" what is expected, risking their own life in a fight against an enemy. Because of how dangerous these actions are, the medal is often given after a person has died. This is called posthumously.

The Second Battle of Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher was a very important place for the Confederacy. It protected the port of Wilmington, North Carolina. This port was vital for getting supplies to the Confederate forces. The Union knew that if they could capture Fort Fisher, they would cut off a major supply route. This would help them win the war.

The battle involved both land and sea forces working together. The Union Navy attacked the fort from the water. At the same time, Union soldiers attacked from the land. The fighting was very fierce. The fort was heavily defended, with thick walls and many cannons.

On January 15, 1865, after a long and difficult fight, the Union forces finally captured Fort Fisher. This was a huge victory for the Union. It helped bring the American Civil War closer to an end.

Heroes of Fort Fisher: Medal of Honor Recipients

Fifty-four brave Union servicemen received the Medal of Honor for their actions at Fort Fisher. These individuals showed incredible courage and dedication. They risked their lives to help their side win this important battle. Their stories are examples of extreme bravery.

Here is a list of the heroes who earned the Medal of Honor at Fort Fisher:

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Date of action	Unit	Notes
—	Anderson, BruceBruce Anderson	Army	Private	January 15, 1865	Company K, 142nd New York Infantry	"Voluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading"
—	Anglin, JohnJohn Anglin	Navy	Cabin Boy	24 December 1864 to 22 January 1865	USS Pontoosuc (1864)	Carried out his duties while under the fire of the enemy
—	Barnum, JamesJames Barnum	Navy	Boatswain's Mate	December 24–25, 1864 and January 13–15, 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)	"[Was] commended for highly meritorious conduct" during an all day battle between his ship and Fort Fisher
—	Barter, Gurdon H.Gurdon H. Barter	Navy	Landsman	January 15, 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)	"Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, he advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed and wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark, when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms, and its colors."
—	Bass, David L.David L. Bass	Navy	Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)	"Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, S/man Bass advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed and wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark, when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms, and its colors"
—	Bazaar, PhilipPhilip Bazaar	Navy	Ordinary Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Santiago de Cuba	Was one of six men who entered the fort in an assault and accompanied his party in carrying dispatches at the height of the battle
—	Betham, AsaAsa Betham	Navy	Coxswain	24 December 1864, to 22 January 1865	USS Pontoosuc (1864)
	Binder, RichardRichard Binder	Marine Corps	Sergeant	24 and December 25, 1864, and 13 to January 15, 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
—	Blair, Robert M.Robert M. Blair	Navy	Boatswain's Mate	24 December 1864 to 22 January 1865	USS Pontoosuc (1864)
—	Bowman, Edward R.Edward R. Bowman	Navy	Quartermaster	13 to 15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)	Although severely wounded he continued to perform his duties throughout the action
—	Burton, AlbertAlbert Burton	Navy	Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Wabash (1855)
—	Campbell, WilliamWilliam Campbell	Navy	Boatswain's Mate	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
	Chapin, Alaric B.Alaric B. Chapin	Army	Private	15 January 1865	Company G, 142d New York Infantry	"[V]oluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading"
—	Connor, ThomasThomas Connor	Navy	Ordinary Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)
	Curtis, Newton MartinNewton Martin Curtis	Army	Brigadier General	15 January 1865	U.S. Volunteers	Was the first to pass through the stockade and although being wounded 4 times led each assault on the traverses of the fort
—	Dempster, JohnJohn Dempster	Navy	Coxswain	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)
—	Dunn, WilliamWilliam Dunn	Navy	Quartermaster	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865	USS Monadnock (1863)
—	English, ThomasThomas English	Navy	Signal Quartermaster	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)
—	Foy, Charles H.Charles H. Foy	Navy	Signal Quartermaster	13 to 15 January 1865	USS Rhode Island (1861)
—	Freeman, William H.William H. Freeman	Army	Private	15 January 1865	Company B, 169th New York Infantry	"Volunteered to carry the brigade flag after the bearer was wounded"
—	Fry, Isaac N.Isaac N. Fry	Marine Corps	Orderly Sergeant	13 to 15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
—	Griffiths, JohnJohn Griffiths	Navy	Captain of the Forecastle	15 January 1865	USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)	While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
—	Haffee, EdmundEdmund Haffee	Navy	Quarter Gunner	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)
—	Harcourt, ThomasThomas Harcourt	Navy	Ordinary Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)
—	Hayden, Joseph B.Joseph B. Hayden	Navy	Quartermaster	13 to 15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
—	Jones, ThomasThomas Jones	Navy	Coxswain	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
—	Kane, ThomasThomas Kane	Navy	Captain of the Hold	15 January 1865	USS Nereus (1863)
—	Lear, NicholasNicholas Lear	Navy	Quartermaster	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)
—	Merrill, GeorgeGeorge Merrill	Army	Private	15 January 1865	Company I, 142d New York Infantry	"Voluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading"
—	Milliken, DanielDaniel Milliken	Navy	Quarter Gunner	24 and 25 December 1864_ and 13,14 and 15 January 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)
—	Mills, CharlesCharles Mills	Navy	Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)
—	Neahr, Zachariah C.Zachariah C. Neahr	Army	Private	16 January 1865	Company K, 142d New York Infantry	Voluntarily advanced with the head of the column and cut down the palisading
	Pennypacker, GalushaGalusha Pennypacker	Army	Colonel	15 January 1865	97th Pennsylvania Infantry	"Gallantly led the charge over a traverse and planted the colors of one of his regiments thereon, was severely wounded"
—	Prance, GeorgeGeorge Prance	Navy	Captain of the Main Top	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13 to 15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
—	Province, GeorgeGeorge Province	Navy	Ordinary Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)	While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
—	Rannahan, JohnJohn Rannahan	Marine Corps	Corporal	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)
—	Savage, AuzellaAuzella Savage	Navy	Ordinary Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)
	Shepard, Louis C.Louis C. Shepard	Navy	Ordinary Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Wabash (1855)
—	Shipman, WilliamWilliam Shipman	Navy	Coxswain	15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
—	Shivers, JohnJohn Shivers	Marine Corps	Private	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)
—	Sommers, RobertRobert Sommers	Navy	Chief Quartermaster	13 to 15 January 1865	USS Ticonderoga (1862)
	Stevens, Daniel D.Daniel D. Stevens	Navy	Quartermaster	13 January 1865	USS Canonicus
—	Swanson, JohnJohn Swanson	Navy	Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)	While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
—	Swatton, EdwardEdward Swatton	Navy	Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)	While working for one of the generals on shore he carried dispatches during the battle and was one of 6 who entered the fort in the assault
—	Tallentine, JamesJames Tallentine	Navy	Captain of the Forecastle	31 October 1864	USS Tacony (1863)	Participated in landing and spiking a 9-inch gun while under devastating fire from enemy musketry.
—	Thompson, Henry A.Henry A. Thompson	Marine Corps	Private	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)
—	Tomlin, Andrew J.Andrew J. Tomlin	Marine Corps	Corporal	15 January 1865	USS Wabash (1855)
—	Tripp, OthnielOthniel Tripp	Navy	Chief Boatswain's Mate	15 January 1865	USS Seneca (1861)	"Despite severe enemy fire which halted an attempt by his assaulting party to enter the stockade, Tripp boldly charged through the gap in the stockade although the center of the line, being totally unprotected, fell back along the open beach and left too few in the ranks to attempt an offensive operation."
—	Wainwright, JohnJohn Wainwright	Army	First Lieutenant	15 January 1865	Company F, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry	"Gallant and meritorious conduct, where, as first lieutenant, he commanded the regiment."
—	Webster, Henry S.Henry S. Webster	Navy	Landsman	15 January 1865	USS Susquehanna (1850)
—	White, JosephJoseph White	Navy	Coxswain	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13,14, and 15 January 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)
—	Wilcox, Franklin L.Franklin L. Wilcox	Navy	Ordinary Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Minnesota (1855)
—	Williams, AugustusAugustus Williams	Navy	Seaman	15 January 1865	USS Santiago de Cuba (1861)
—	Willis, RichardRichard Willis	Navy	Coxswain	24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14 and 15 January 1865	USS New Ironsides (1862)