David L. Bass

David L. Bass (1842 – 15 October 1886) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.

Biography
Born in Ireland, Bass immigrated to the United States and settled in New York. He joined the US Navy and by January 1865 was serving as a seaman on the USS Minnesota (1855). He participated in the assault on Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina. With a landing party from the Minnesota, he advanced through heavy fire toward the fort, reaching the surrounding palisades. Most of the men then made a panicked retreat, but Bass stayed on the field until darkness fell, when he and the remainder of the attacking force made an orderly withdrawal, carrying out wounded comrades, abandoned weapons, and battle flags. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on 22 June 1865.

After the war, Bass lived in Little Falls, New York, and worked as a blacksmith. He died at age 43 or 44 and was buried at Wilcox Cemetery in Little Falls.

Medal of Honor citation
Bass' official Medal of Honor citation reads: "On board the U.S.S. Minnesota in action during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, S/man Bass advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed and wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark, when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms, and its colors."