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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Seaman · U.S. Navy

John Williams

Seaman John Williams, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 3, 1862 in Franklin, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War October 3, 1862

Seaman John Williams was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 3, 1862 in Franklin, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Commodore Perry. Williams was about 30 years old.

8 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Williams was born in 1832 in Blair County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania.

Williams is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Commodore Perry in the attack upon Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. With enemy fire raking the deck of his ship and blockades thwarting her progress, Williams remained at his post and performed his duties with skill and courage as the Commodore Perry fought a gallant battle to silence many rebel batteries as she steamed down the Blackwater River.

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

Timeline

  1. 1832
    Born in Blair County, Pennsylvania
  2. October 3, 1862
    Act of valor — Franklin, Virginia
    Age about 30. U.S.S. Commodore Perry

Also honored for actions on October 3, 1862

TB Thomas Barton Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 JB John Breen Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1862 JB James H. Burbank Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1862 DL Daniel Lakin Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 William Wallace McCammon First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1862 DM Dennis J. f Murphy Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1862 AP Alfred Peterson Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 ES Edwin Smith Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862

More Civil War recipients from Pennsylvania

JK John Kinsey Corporal · Army Civil War · 1864 Jacob E. Swap Private · Army Civil War · 1864 Charles McAnally Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1864 WF William R. Fox Private · Army Civil War · 1865 TK Theodore L. Kramer Private · Army Civil War · 1864 JS John Hamilton reid Storey Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.