John Wilson (1839–unknown) was an English born soldier and recipient of the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Little is known about Williams except for information regarding his Medal of Honor action. He was born in Washington, England in 1839. He served in the 1st New Jersey Cavalry as a sergeant. He earned his medal at Chamberlains Creek,

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

on March 31, 1865. The Medal of Honor Historical Society lists Wilson as "Lost to History" because his final resting place is not known.

Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism on 31 March 1865, in action at Chamberlain's Creek, Virginia. With the assistance of one comrade, Sergeant Wilson headed off the advance of the enemy, shooting two of his Color Bearers; also posted himself between the enemy and the lead horses of his own command, thus saving the herd from capture.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, John 1839 births Date of death unknown American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor English-born Medal of Honor recipients