b. 1841 Boston, Massachusetts. d. ?
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 15/01/1865 Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Harcourt enlisted in the Army from Haverhill, New Hampshire in 1863, but transferred to the Navy in April 1864 and was assigned to the Union frigate USS Minnesota. He later deserted in April 1865.
On January 15, 1865, the North Carolina Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter and General Alfred Terry. Harcourt was one of nine crewmen from the USS Minnesota who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Minnesota in action during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, Harcourt advanced to the top of the sandhill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire, which killed and wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms, and its colors.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON DC.
