| Richard Binder | |
| Birth Name: | Richard Bigle |
| Birth Date: | 26 July 1839 |
| Birth Place: | Kingdom of Württemberg (now Germany) |
| Placeofburial: | West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania |
| Placeofburial Label: | Place of burial |
| Allegiance: | United States of America Union |
| Serviceyears: | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank: | Sergeant |
| Battles: | First Battle of Fort Fisher Second Battle of Fort Fisher |
| Awards: | Medal of Honor |
Richard Binder (July 26, 1839 – February 26, 1912) was an American Civil War Marine Corps Sergeant and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor. His birth name was Richard Bigle.
Richard Binder was born in the Kingdom of Württemberg (now part of Germany), and moved to the US in 1854 at the age of 15.[1] He enlisted in the Marine Corps from Philadelphia in July 1861. In 1864–65, he was assigned to the sloop-of-war . He participated in the two assaults on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, on 24-December 25, 1864 (First Battle of Fort Fisher) and 13-January 15, 1865 (Second Battle of Fort Fisher). He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his performance at those times. Richard Binder died on February 26, 1912, and was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.[2]
Sergeant Richard Binder's official Medal of Honor citation is as follows:
On board the during the attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and December 25, 1864, and 13 to January 15, 1865. Despite heavy return fire by the enemy and the explosion of the 100-pounder Parrott rifle which killed eight men and wounded 12 more, Sgt. Binder, as captain of a gun, performed his duties with skill and courage during the first two days of battle. As his ship again took position on the 13th, he remained steadfast as the Ticonderoga maintained a well-placed fire upon the batteries on shore, and thereafter, as she materially lessened the power of guns on the mound which had been turned upon our assaulting columns. During this action the flag was planted on one of the strongest fortifications possessed by the rebels.