John Wilson (c. 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 Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

. 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 U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...

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 1830s births Date of death unknown American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor English-born Medal of Honor recipients