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West Laurel Hill Cemetery

Born:  July 26, 1839 at Germany

Entered Service in the US Marine Corps from Pennsylvania

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Civil War For heroism December 24 - 25, 1864 & January 13 - 15, 1865 at Fort Fisher, NC

By the end of the year 1864, Wilmington was the South's last open seaport on the Atlantic coast and was protected by Fort Fisher in North Carolina. At least sixty-nine Medals of Honor were earned in two engagements against Fort Fisher, more than thirty in the initial two-day unsuccessful combined Army/Navy attack in December 1864. Thirteen sailors from three ships of the Naval force, including Marine Sergeant Richard Binder, were awarded Medals of Honor for their actions at Fort Fisher on December 24 & 25, and again the following January 13 - 15. Despite heavy return fire by the enemy and the explosion of the 100-pounder Parrott rifle which killed eight men and wounded 12 more, Sergeant Binder, as captain of a gun, performed his duties with skill and courage during the first two days of battle. As his ship again took position on the 13th, he remained steadfast as the Ticonderoga maintained a well-placed fire upon the batteries on shore, and thereafter, as she materially lessened the power of guns on the mound which had been turned upon our assaulting columns. During this action the flag was planted on one of the strongest fortifications possessed by the rebels.