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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

George D. Wilson

Private George D. Wilson, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on April 12, 1862 in Georgia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War April 12, 1862Posthumous

Private George D. Wilson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on April 12, 1862 in Georgia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 2d Ohio Infantry. Wilson was about 32 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 3, 2024, 162 years after the action — at the White House, Washington, D.C., by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Wilson was born in 1830 in Belmont County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. Wilson died on June 18, 1862 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of about 32. He is buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Wilson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Private George D. Wilson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Georgia on 12 April 1862. Private Wilson was one of 22 Andrews' Raiders who, by direction of Major Ormsby M. Mitchell, penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory. Upon capturing a railroad train at Big Shanty in Georgia, the group set out to complete their mission of disrupting enemy supply lines by destroying bridges and tracks between Chattanooga and Atlanta. Private Wilson's gallant actions in close contact with the enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Army of the Ohio, and the United States Army.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. 1830
    Born in Belmont County, Ohio
  2. April 12, 1862
    Act of valor — Georgia
    Age about 32. Company B, 2d Ohio Infantry
  3. June 18, 1862
    Died in Atlanta, Georgia
    Age about 32.
  4. July 3, 2024
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
    At the White House, Washington, D.C., by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
  5. Resting place
    Chattanooga National Cemetery
    Chattanooga, Tennessee

Biography

George Davenport Wilson (1830 – June 18, 1862) was an American Civil War soldier and Medal of Honor recipient.

From the Wikipedia article “George D. Wilson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on April 12, 1862

Philip G. Shadrach Private · Army Civil War · 1862 ✦

More Civil War recipients from Ohio

DH Daniel Irving Holcomb Private · Army Civil War · 1864 EW Edward Welsh Private · Army Civil War · 1863 JB James Bennett Bell Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 HT Howell B. Treat Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 HD Harry Clay Davis Private · Army Civil War · 1864 John Wilson Sprague Colonel · Army Civil War · 1864 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.