Joseph Fisher (soldier)

Joseph Fisher
Medal of Honor winner Joseph Fisher c1897
Born	(1843-08-24)August 24, 1843 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	October 8, 1903(1903-10-08) (aged 60) Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Buried	Fernwood Cemetery, Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	April 21, 1861 to 1865
Rank	Corporal
Unit	Company C, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry
Battles / wars	Third Battle of Petersburg
Awards	Medal of Honor

Joseph Fisher (August 24, 1843 – October 8, 1903) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Fisher received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Third Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on 2 April 1865. He was honored with the award on 16 January 1894.^[1][2][3]

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. 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.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Joseph Fisher, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 April 1865, while serving with Company C, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Petersburg, Virginia. Corporal Fisher carried the colors 50 yards in advance of his regiment, and after being painfully wounded attempted to crawl into the enemy's works in an endeavor to plant his flag thereon.^[1][2]

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F