Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Major · U.S. Army

William Joseph Sperry

Major William Joseph Sperry, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 2, 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War April 2, 1865

Major William Joseph Sperry was a soldier in the U.S. Army who 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 6th Vermont Infantry. Sperry was 24 years old.

65 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 12, 1892, 27 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Sperry was born on December 28, 1840 in Cavendish, Windsor County, Vermont. Sperry died on March 3, 1914, at the age of 73. He is buried at Mount Union Cemetery in Cavendish Village, Vermont.

Sperry is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 47 credited to Vermont.

Official Medal of Honor citation

With the assistance of a few men, captured two pieces of artillery and turned them upon the enemy.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. December 28, 1840
    Born in Cavendish, Windsor County, Vermont
  2. April 2, 1865
    Act of valor — Petersburg, Virginia
    Age 24. 6th Vermont Infantry
  3. August 12, 1892
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. March 3, 1914
    Died
    Age 73.
  5. Resting place
    Mount Union Cemetery
    Cavendish Village, Vermont

Also honored for actions on April 2, 1865

AA Abner Peeler Allen Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 AA Andrew O. Apple Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 William J. Babcock Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 JB James Albert Barber Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 EB Eugene Beauharnais Beaumont Major and Assistant Adjutant General · Army Civil War · 1865 William Robert douglas Blackwood Surgeon · Army Civil War · 1865 JB John W. Boutwell Private · Army Civil War · 1865 JB John E. Buffington Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 CC Carlton N. Camp Private · Army Civil War · 1865 JC John Corcoran Private · Army Civil War · 1865 Stephen Potter Corliss First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 JC Josiah M. Curtis Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865

See all 66 recipients for April 2, 1865 →

Same unit

JC John Wesley Clark First Lieutenant & Regimental Quartermaster · Army Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from Vermont

William Young warren Ripley Lieutenant Colonel · Army Civil War · 1862 HD Henry W. Downs Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 JS James Sweeney Private · Army Civil War · 1864 George Evans Davis First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1864 Theodore Safford Peck First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1864 FB Franklin George Butterfield First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1863
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.