b. 1842 Ireland. d. 15/10/1886 New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 15/01/1865 Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
David L Bass MOH
Born in Ireland, Bass immigrated to the United States and settled in New York. He joined the US Navy and by January 1865 was serving as a seaman on the USS Minnesota. He participated in the assault on Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina. With a landing party from the Minnesota, he advanced through heavy fire toward the fort, reaching the surrounding palisades. Most of the men then made a panicked retreat, but Bass stayed on the field until darkness fell, when he and the remainder of the attacking force made an orderly withdrawal, carrying out wounded comrades, abandoned weapons, and battle flags. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on 22 June 1865.
After the war, Bass lived in Little Falls, New York, and worked as a blacksmith. He married Delia Walrath on August 9, 1868 and had three children; Everett James Bass, William Henry Bass and Cora Riley Bass. He died at age 44 and was buried at Wilcox Cemetery in Little Falls. The cemetery was abandoned and in disrepair for many years. Due to the efforts of local volunteers, Bass’s gravesite was located, cleaned up and properly decorated. The gravesite was rededicated on May 24, 2012.
BURIAL LOCATION: WILCOX CEMETERY, LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
