Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant William J. Babcock received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 2, 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 2d Rhode Island Infantry. Babcock was 23 years old.
65 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 2, 1895, 29 years after the action.
Babcock was born on April 8, 1841 in Griswold, New London County, Connecticut. His Medal of Honor is credited to South Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island. Babcock died on October 29, 1897 in Wakefield, Rhode Island, at the age of 56. He is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
Babcock 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
Planted the flag upon the parapet while the enemy still occupied the line; was the first of his regiment to enter the works.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
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Timeline
- April 8, 1841Born in Griswold, New London County, Connecticut
- April 2, 1865Act of valor — Petersburg, VirginiaAge 23. 2d Rhode Island Infantry
- March 2, 1895Medal of Honor presented
- October 29, 1897Died in Wakefield, Rhode IslandAge 56.
- Resting placeRiverside CemeteryWakefield, Rhode Island
Biography
William J. Babcock (April 8, 1841 – October 29, 1897) was an American soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “William J. Babcock”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
