John Williams (Medal of Honor, born 1832)

Last updated
John Williams
Born1832
Blair County, Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Seaman
Unit USS Commodore Perry
Battles/wars American Civil War
  Joint Expedition Against Franklin
Awards Medal of Honor

John Williams (born 1832, date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin.

Born in 1832 in Blair County, Pennsylvania, Williams was still living in that county when he joined the Navy. By October 3, 1862, he was serving as a seaman on the USS Commodore Perry. On that day, as the ship steamed down the Blackwater River during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin, Virginia, Williams remained at his post despite heavy fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on April 3, 1863. [1] [2]

Williams' official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Commodore Perry in the attack upon Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. With enemy fire raking the deck of his ship and blockades thwarting her progress, Williams remained at his post and performed his duties with skill and courage as the Commodore Perry fought a gallant battle to silence many rebel batteries as she steamed down the Blackwater River. [2]

Related Research Articles

Franklin, Virginia Independent city in Virginia

Franklin is the southwesternmost independent city in Hampton Roads, Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,582. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Franklin with Southampton County for statistical purposes.

USS <i>Minnesota</i> (1855)

USS Minnesota was a wooden steam frigate in the United States Navy. Launched in 1855 and commissioned eighteen months later, the ship served in east Asia for two years before being decommissioned. She was recommissioned at the outbreak of the American Civil War and returned to service as the flagship of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Charles W. Flusser

Charles Williamson Flusser was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

USS <i>Carondelet</i> (1861)

USS Carondelet (1861) was a City-class ironclad gunboat constructed for the War Department by James B. Eads during the American Civil War. It was named for the town where it was built, Carondelet, Missouri.

USS <i>Mississippi</i> (1841)

USS Mississippi, a paddle frigate, was the first ship of the United States Navy to bear that name. She was named for the Mississippi River. Her sister ship was Missouri. Her keel was laid down by the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1839; built under the personal supervision of Commodore Matthew Perry. She was commissioned on 22 December 1841, with Captain W. D. Salter in command and launched several weeks later.

USS <i>Susquehanna</i> (1850) Sidewheel steam frigate

USS Susquehanna, a sidewheel steam frigate, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Susquehanna River, which rises in Lake Otsego in central New York and flows across Pennsylvania and the northeast corner of Maryland emptying into the Chesapeake Bay.

USS <i>Richmond</i> (1860)

USS Richmond was a wooden steam sloop in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

USS <i>Commodore Perry</i>

USS Commodore Perry (1858) was a 512 long tons (520 t) steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the first year of the American Civil War.

USS <i>Whitehead</i>

USSWhitehead, a screw steamer built in 1861 at New Brunswick, New Jersey, served as a gunboat in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

Alexander S. Crawford was a sailor in the United States Navy who served in the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war.

USS <i>Marmora</i> (1862)

The first USS Marmora was a stern wheel paddle steamer in the United States Navy.

USS <i>Baron DeKalb</i>

USS Baron DeKalb (1861) was a City-class ironclad gunboat constructed for the Union Navy by James B. Eads during the American Civil War.

Joint Expedition Against Franklin

The Joint Expedition Against Franklin was a joint engagement between the United States Army and Navy against the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The engagement was intended to move Union forces into an area where Confederate forces were gathering as they prepared to move on Suffolk, Virginia. Originally planned as a coordinated two-pronged attack with a naval flotilla supporting an infantry advance on Franklin, Virginia, communications delays caused the Union Navy to start the mission before the Army was ready to support it. Instead, October 3, 1862 found Union Naval forces on the Blackwater River greatly outnumbered by Confederate infantrymen and ultimately forced to retreat. The naval action alone is also known as the Action at Crumpler's Bluff or the Battle of Crumpler's Bluff.

Daniel Lakin was a Medal of Honor recipient in the Union Navy from 1861–1865

Pierre Leon was a Captain of the Forecastle in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.

Thomas Barton (Medal of Honor)

Thomas C. Barton was an American seaman who served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. Barton enlisted in the Navy in June 1861, and resigned in April 1864.

Edwin Smith was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin.

Charles Robinson (Medal of Honor)

Charles Robinson was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during an expedition on the Yazoo River.

Boatswain's Mate John Breen was an Irish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Breen received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Petersburg, Virginia on 3 October 1862. He was honored with the award on 3 April 1863.

Sergeant James H. Burbank was a Dutch soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Burbank received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Blackwater, near Franklin, Virginia on 3 October 1862. He was honored with the award on 27 July 1896.

References

  1. "John Williams". Hall of Valor. Military Times . Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (M–Z)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 26, 2011. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2011.