Sergeant John Wilson, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on March 31, 1865 at Chamberlains Creek, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company L, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Wilson was about 26 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 3, 1865.
Wilson was born in 1839 in Washington. His Medal of Honor is credited to Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. Wilson died in District of Columbia. He is buried at New York.
Wilson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With the assistance of one comrade, 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1839Born in Washington
- March 31, 1865Act of valor — Chamberlains Creek, VirginiaAge about 26. Company L, 1st New Jersey Cavalry
- July 3, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- Resting placeNew York
Biography
John Wilson (c. 1839–unknown) was an English born soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. 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, on March 31, 1865. The Medal of Honor Historical Society lists Wilson as "Lost to History" because his final resting place is not known.
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