Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant William Wilson received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 28, 1872 at Colorado Valley, Texas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company I, 4th U.S. Cavalry. Wilson was about 28 years old.
The medal was presented on April 27, 1872. Wilson is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (September 29, 1872).
Wilson was born in 1844 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Wilson died on December 22, 1895 in Presidio of San Francisco, California, at the age of about 51. He is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.
Wilson is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
First Award: In pursuit of a band of cattle thieves from New Mexico.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1844Born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- March 28, 1872Act of valor — Colorado Valley, TexasAge about 28. Company I, 4th U.S. Cavalry
- April 27, 1872Medal of Honor presented
- December 22, 1895Died in Presidio of San Francisco, CaliforniaAge about 51.
- Resting placeSan Francisco National CemeterySan Francisco, California
