Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Sergeant William Jones was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on May 12, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 73d New York Infantry. Jones was about 28 years old.
Jones was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 34 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 1, 1864.
Jones was born in 1836 in Wicklow, County Wicklow, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. He is buried at Fredericksburg National Military Park in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Jones is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capture of flag of 65th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.).
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (May 12, 1864).
- Age at death: about 28
- Resting place: Fredericksburg National Military Park
Timeline
- 1836Born in Wicklow, County Wicklow, Ireland
- May 12, 1864Act of valor — Spotsylvania, VirginiaAge about 28. Company A, 73d New York Infantry Killed in action.
- December 1, 1864Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeFredericksburg National Military ParkFredericksburg, Virginia
