Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Boatswain's Mate John Williams II received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 7, 1861 in Hilton Head, South Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Mohican. Williams was about 30 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 1, 1863.
Williams was born in 1831 in Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth), Union County, New Jersey. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Williams died on October 30, 1899 in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of about 68. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Williams is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Captain of an 11-inch gun aboard the U.S.S. Mohican during action of the main squadron of ships against the heavily defended Forts Beauregard and Walker on Hilton Head, and against ships of the Confederate fleet, 7 November 1861. Cool and courageous at his battle station, Williams maintained steady fire against the enemy while under the fort batteries during a four-hour engagement which resulted in silencing the batteries of the forts and in the rout of the rebel steamers.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1831Born in Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth), Union County, New Jersey
- November 7, 1861Act of valor — Hilton Head, South CarolinaAge about 30. U.S.S. Mohican
- August 1, 1863Medal of Honor presented
- October 30, 1899Died in Brooklyn, New YorkAge about 68.
- Resting placeHoly Cross CemeteryBrooklyn, New York