US Navy. Born 1824 in Norway. Civil War: Enlisted from New York. Boatswain’s Mate. Awarded Medal of Honor. On board the U.S.S. Lackawanna during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on 5 Aug 1864. Serving as a gun captain, Phinney showed much presence of mind in managing the gun and gave much needed encouragement to the crew during the engagement which resulted in the capture of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and the damaging and destruction of Fort Morgan. Sources: (“America’s Medal of Honor Recipients”. Publ. 1977, pp 189, 1019)
