James M. Seitzinger (1846–1924)

A Pottsville teenager who picked up the fallen flag at Cold Harbor and carried it into the charge. Markers: ★ verified · ✔ confirmed · ✎ corrects a common error · ⚑ open/caution.

James M. Seitzinger earned the Medal of Honor at Cold Harbor on June 3, 1864: when the regiment’s color bearer was shot down, he seized the colors and bore them forward in the charge. ★ He served with Company G, 116th Pennsylvania Infantry, and the medal was awarded years later, on March 1, 1906. ★

Seitzinger was born in Pottsville on November 24, 1846, and enlisted in April 1864 together with his father, Israel. ✔ He died on January 14, 1924, and is buried at Christ Church Cemetery in Fountain Springs. ✔

Honored on: Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial.

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Sources

• Congressional Medal of Honor Society — James M. Seitzinger
  License: reference

  Authoritative Medal of Honor recipient roster; facts here are summarized from the listed sources, not reproduced.

• Wikipedia: James M. Seitzinger
  License: CC-BY-SA-4.0

  Supplemental source for the biographical detail: he enlisted in April 1864 alongside his father, Israel, and is buried at Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs.

• Hall of Valor Project — James Seitzinger
  License: reference
• Wikidata: James M. Seitzinger (Q16031305)
  License: CC0
• Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, Pottsville (Historical Marker Database)
  License: reference

Frequently asked

What did James M. Seitzinger do to earn the Medal of Honor?

When his regiment's color bearer was shot down at Cold Harbor, Virginia, on June 3, 1864, Seitzinger seized the colors and carried them forward in a charge against the enemy. He served with Company G, 116th Pennsylvania Infantry; the medal was awarded March 1, 1906.

Where was James Seitzinger from?

He was born in Pottsville on November 24, 1846, and joined the 116th Pennsylvania in 1864 alongside his father, Israel. He died in 1924 and is buried at Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs.