b. 04/1839 Ireland. d. 06/08/1878 New York.

 

DATE OF MOH ACTION: 06/04/1865 Sailor's Creek, Virginia.

 

He enlisted as a Private in the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry (known as the "Harris Light Cavalry"), and was mustered into Company L on September 21, 1861 at the age of 23. He would rise steadily in the ranks during his service nthe field, receiving a promotion to Sergeant, 2dn Lieutenant of Company C (November 4, 1864) and 1st Lieutenant of Company G (March 1, 1865). On April 6, 1865 at Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), Virginia - barely a month after his promotion and in the fianl waning days of the war, he performed a act of bravery that would see him awarded the CMOH.

 

Awarded the Medal on May 3, 1865, he served through the conclusion of the conflict, and was honorably discharged on June 7, 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia.

 

MOH CITATION:

 

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) James H. Gribben, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 6 April 1865, while serving with Company C, 2d New York Cavalry, in action at Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), Virginia, for capture of flag of 12th Virginia Infantry (Confederate States of America).

 

BURIAL LOCATION; CYPRESS HILLS CEMETERY, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Section 14, Lot 77