Adolphe Libaire

Adolphe Libaire, also recorded as Adolph Libaire, was born on 2 May 1840 at Baccarat, France. According to the specialist history project Antietam on the Web, he came to the United States with his family at about five years of age. [1, 3]

Libaire enrolled for Union service in New York City on 23 April 1861. New York’s official roster records his muster as captain of Company E, 9th New York Infantry, on 4 May 1861, for a two-year term. His formal commission followed in July. [2]

Medal of Honor citation summary: At Antietam, Maryland, on 17 September 1862, the regiment’s color bearer and eight-man color guard were shot down during the advance. Libaire took up the regimental flag and carried it to the front, encouraging his men to continue forward. The Medal of Honor recognizing his conduct was awarded on 2 April 1898. [1]

He was mustered out with his company in New York City on 20 May 1863. Antietam on the Web records his naturalization as an American citizen on 23 October 1866 and his subsequent career as a broker and member of the New York Stock Exchange. By 1910 he was retired and living in Manhattan. [2, 3]

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society records his death on 5 September 1920 at Deal, New Jersey, aged 80. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn. [1]

Sources [1] Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Adolph Libaire: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/adolph-libaire [2] New York Adjutant General, 9th Infantry roster, p. 705: https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/rosters/Infantry/9th_Infantry_CW_Roster.pdf [3] Antietam on the Web, Captain Adolphe Libaire: https://antietam.aotw.org/officers.php?officer_id=993