Philip Bazaar

Philip Bazaar, a Chilean immigrant, became a distinguished Civil War hero. As an Ordinary Seaman in the U.S. Navy, Bazaar earned the Medal of Honor in January 1865 for his actions during the assaults on Fort Fisher, North Carolina. He is one of the few Hispanic Americans to receive the nation's highest military decoration.

Bazaar was born in Chile, possibly in Valparaiso, around 1830. He eventually settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Though the details of his arrival in the United States are unclear, it is likely in historical context that he may have joined the crew of an American whaling or merchant ship. New Bedford was the capital of the whaling voyages and whale oil trade in mid-19th-century America, and the port city welcomed seamen from around the globe. During the American Civil War, Bazaar enlisted in the U.S. Navy from New Bedford.

Bazaar served as an Ordinary Seaman aboard the USS Santiago de Cuba, a converted side-wheel steamer. The Santiago was part of the blockading squadrons, patrolling the Confederate coast to prevent maritime trade in or out of those states. The ship captured several southern blockade runners, which would have given the crew—including Bazaar—some extra money from the prize ships. 

By 1865, Wilmington, North Carolina, was the last major port that the Confederacy could use for blockade running, making it key for supplies. Protected by fortifications and a river delta, Wilmington—sometimes called a “Gibraltar of the Confederacy”—offered a last hope for the southerners and one of the final points to capture for the Union navy. There were several attempts to take Fort Fisher, a key position guarding access to Wilmington, and both the Union Navy and infantry took part in the operations.

On January 15, 1865, during the second and final assault on Fort Fisher, Philip Bazaar distinguished himself. While under fire, he carried dispatches to the officers on shore. Bazaar risked his life to ensure communications reached Union leadership. He was also one of only six Navy men who entered the fort during the fighting.

For his actions during the assault on Fort Fisher, Philip Bazaar was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 22, 1865. The official citation reads: “On board the U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba during the assault on Fort Fisher on 15 January 1865. As one of a boat crew detailed to one of the generals onshore, O.S. Bazaar bravely entered the fort in the assault and accompanied his party in carrying dispatches at the height of the battle. He was one of six men who entered the fort in the assault from the fleet.”

Following his discharge from the Navy after the end of the Civil War, Philip Bazaar lived in relative obscurity. He passed away on December 28, 1923. He was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in New York City, under the name "Philip Bazan," a common misspelling of his surname in historical records.

Bazaar's service is a reminder of the often overlooked contributions of Hispanic soldiers and sailors to the Union cause. While detailed personal accounts of his life before and after the war are scarce, his actions at Fort Fisher and his Medal of Honor stand out in American history. Bazaar is honored at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and is listed among the heroes at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. His name also appears on the Hispanic Medal of Honor Plaza in Harlingen, Texas, which commemorates Hispanic Americans who have received the nation's highest military award.