Second Lieutenant William B. Avery was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 5, 1862 at Tranter's Creek, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 1st New York Marine Artillery. Avery was 21 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 2, 1893, 31 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
Avery was born on September 10, 1840 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island. Avery died on July 19, 1894 in Bayside, Kent County, Rhode Island, at the age of 53. He is buried at North Burial Ground in Providence, Rhode Island.
Avery is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 31 credited to Rhode Island.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Handled his battery with greatest coolness amidst the hottest fire.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Rhode Island →
Timeline
- September 10, 1840Born in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
- June 5, 1862Act of valor — Tranter's Creek, North CarolinaAge 21. 1st New York Marine Artillery
- September 2, 1893Medal of Honor presented
- July 19, 1894Died in Bayside, Kent County, Rhode IslandAge 53.
- Resting placeNorth Burial GroundProvidence, Rhode Island
Biography
William Bailey Avery (September 10, 1840 – July 19, 1894) was a Union Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “William B. Avery”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →