Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Leroy Williams received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company G, 8th New York Heavy Artillery. Williams was 18 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 1, 1898, 33 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Williams was born on August 18, 1845 in Oswego, Oswego County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Batavia, Genesee County, New York. Williams died on February 14, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 84. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, 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
Voluntarily exposed himself to the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters and located the body of his colonel who had been killed close to the enemy's lines. Under cover of darkness, with four companions, he recovered the body and brought it within the Union lines, having approached within a few feet of the Confederate pickets while so engaged.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
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Timeline
- August 18, 1845Born in Oswego, Oswego County, New York
- June 3, 1864Act of valor — Cold Harbor, VirginiaAge 18. Company G, 8th New York Heavy Artillery
- April 1, 1898Medal of Honor presented
- February 14, 1930Died in Cleveland, OhioAge 84.
- Resting placeOakwood CemeteryNiagara Falls, New York
Biography
Le Roy Williams (August 18, 1845 – February 14, 1930) was an American soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Le Roy Williams”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
