John B. Frisbee

John B. Frisbee (January 7, 1825 – September 9, 1903) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip.

Biography
Born on January 7, 1825, in Phippsburg, Maine, Frisbee was living in Brookline, Massachusetts, when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a gunner's mate on the USS Pinola (1861). At the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip near New Orleans on April 24, 1862, Pinola's berth deck was struck by shellfire and set aflame. Frisbee prevented the fire from spreading to the ship's stored gunpowder by shutting himself into the magazine. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on April 3, 1863.

Frisbee's official Medal of Honor citation reads: "Served on board the U.S. Steam Gunboat Pinola during action against Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and during the taking of New Orleans, 24 April 1862. While engaged in the bombardment of Fort St. Philip, Frisbee, acting courageously and without personal regard, closed the powder magazine which had been set afire by enemy shelling and shut off his avenue of escape, thereby setting a high example of bravery. He served courageously throughout these engagements which resulted in the taking of the Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in the surrender of New Orleans."

Frisbee died on September 9, 1903, at age 78 and was buried in Winnegance, Maine.