The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Ship's Corporal James Thayer, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct in rescuing from drowning a boy serving with him on the U.S.S. Constitution, at the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia 16 November 1879.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 326 (October 18, 1884)

Action Date: November 16, 1879

Service: Navy

Rank: Ship's Corporal

Division: U.S.S. Constitution