b. 1853 Ireland. d. 16/04/1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 16/11/1879 Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia.
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 USS Constitution. 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.
MOH CITATION:
For rescuing from drowning a boy serving with him on the U.S.S. Constitution, at the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., 16 November 1879.
BURIAL LOCATION: OLD CATHEDRAL CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION T, SINGLES GRAVE.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
