James Holehouse

Advancing beyond a broken assault at Marye’s Heights

James Holehouse earned the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. Also recorded as John Holehouse, he was born in Stockport, England, on December 25, 1839. He served as a private in Company B of the 7th Massachusetts Infantry.

On May 3, 1863, at Marye’s Heights, Virginia, Holehouse and a companion voluntarily advanced beyond their regiment after its assault had been broken. They halted beneath the crest. Their example encouraged the advance: the regimental colors reached the summit, the regiment moved forward and the position was held.

Holehouse’s Medal of Honor was presented on September 10, 1897. He died in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on May 20, 1915, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River. His award commemorates initiative that helped renew an interrupted assault.

Official Medal of Honor citation

With one companion voluntarily and with conspicuous daring advanced beyond his regiment, which had been broken in the assault, and halted beneath the crest. Following the example of these two men, the colors were brought to the summit, the regiment was advanced, and the position held.