Private William B. Mayes was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 15, 1864 near Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 11th Iowa Infantry. Mayes was about 26 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 27, 1899, 35 years after the action.
Mayes was born in 1838 in Marion County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to DeWitt, Clinton County, Iowa. Mayes died on August 16, 1900 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of about 62. He is buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Mayes is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 55 credited to Iowa.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With one companion and under a fierce fire from the enemy at short-range went to the rescue of a wounded comrade who had fallen between the lines and carried him to a place of safety.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1838Born in Marion County, Ohio
- June 15, 1864Act of valor — near Kenesaw Mountain, GeorgiaAge about 26. Company K, 11th Iowa Infantry
- November 27, 1899Medal of Honor presented
- August 16, 1900Died in Los Angeles, CaliforniaAge about 62.
- Resting placeRosedale CemeteryLos Angeles, California
