b. 1824 Norway. d. ?
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/08/1864 Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, Alabama.
Born in 1824 in Norway, Phinney immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the Navy in 1848. He served during the Civil War as a boatswain’s mate on the USS Lackawanna. At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, Lackawanna engaged the CSS Tennessee at close range and Phinney distinguished himself as captain of an artillery gun. Four months later, on December 31, 1864, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of his actions in battle.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Lackawanna during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the rebel ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Serving as gun captain, Phinney showed much presence of mind in managing the gun and gave much needed encouragement to the crew during the engagement, which resulted in the capture of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of Fort Morgan.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.