James Thayer
United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient
About James Thayer
Lived 1853 – 1886 (aged 32–33).
James Thayer (c. 1853–1886) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Born in about 1853 in Ireland, Thayer immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from Pennsylvania. By November 16, 1879, he was serving as a ship's corporal on the . On that day, while Constitution was at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, he rescued a young shipmate from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor five years later, on October 18, 1884.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Thayer's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Thayer?
United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient (1853–1886)
When was James Thayer born?
James Thayer was born in 1853 in Ireland.
When did James Thayer die?
James Thayer died on 16 April 1886 in Philadelphia.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: James Thayer (Medal of Honor)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Thayer. https://biography.guide/james-thayer-1853/
MLA: "James Thayer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-thayer-1853/.
Chicago: "James Thayer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-thayer-1853/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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