Sergeant William J. Wray was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 12, 1864 at Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 1st Veterans Reserve Corps. Wray was 19 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 15, 1892, 28 years after the action.
Wray was born on May 16, 1845 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Wray died on June 2, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 74. He is buried at Philadelphia Memorial Park in Frazier, Pennsylvania.
Wray is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Rallied the company at a critical moment during a change of position under 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 Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- May 16, 1845Born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- July 12, 1864Act of valor — Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C.Age 19. 1st Veterans Reserve Corps
- December 15, 1892Medal of Honor presented
- June 2, 1919Died in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAge 74.
- Resting placePhiladelphia Memorial ParkFrazier, Pennsylvania
Biography
William J. Wray (May 16, 1845 - June 2, 1919) was an American soldier who won the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Fort Stevens in the American Civil War. Wray was born in Philadelphia, and enlisted in the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862, getting shot through the eye on December 13. After recovering, he fought as a sergeant in the 1st Veteran Reserve Corps. Wray was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 15, 1892 for his actions at Fort Stevens on July 12, 1864.
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