Joseph Fisher (August 24, 1843 – October 8, 1903) was an American soldier who fought in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Fisher received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

, for his action during the

Third Battle of Petersburg The Third Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Breakthrough at Petersburg or the Fall of Petersburg, was fought on April 2, 1865, south and southwest of Petersburg, Virginia, at the end of the 292-day Richmond–Petersburg Campaign (sometimes ...

in Virginia on 2 April 1865. He was honored with the award on 16 January 1894.

Biography

Fisher was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 24 August 1843. He first enlisted into a three-month service with the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in April 1861. After mustering out he reentered the service in September 1861, joining the

61st Pennsylvania Infantry The 61st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service The 61st Pennsylvania was organized at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in August 1861 and mustered in for ...

. He went on to be promoted to corporal and, on 2 April 1865, performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor. Fisher died on 8 October 1903 and his remains are interred at the Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fisher, Joseph 1843 births 1903 deaths People of Pennsylvania in the American Civil War Union Army officers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor Burials at Fernwood Cemetery (Lansdowne, Pennsylvania) Military personnel from Philadelphia

Biography

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References