Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Wilson J. Vance received the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 31, 1862 at Stone River, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 21st Ohio Infantry. Vance was 17 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 17, 1897, 34 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Captain.
Vance was born on December 20, 1845 in Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio. Vance died on November 10, 1911 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the age of 65. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Vance is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Voluntarily and under a heavy fire, while his command was falling back, rescued a wounded and helpless comrade from death or capture.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Timeline
- December 20, 1845Born in Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio
- December 31, 1862Act of valor — Stone River, TennesseeAge 17. Company B, 21st Ohio Infantry
- September 17, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- November 10, 1911Died in Chattanooga, TennesseeAge 65.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Wilson J. Vance (December 20, 1845, Findlay, Ohio – November 10, 1911, Chattanooga, Tennessee) was an American soldier who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War, an author, a journalist and an editor. He received the Medal of Honor for valor.
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