John Williams

Branch

U.S. Navy

Era

Civil War

Home state

Louisiana

Action

USS Pawnee

The citation

Official citation

Serving as captain of the maintop of the U.S.S. Pawnee in the attack upon Mathias Point, 26 June 1861, Williams told his men, while lying off in the boat, that every man must die on his thwart sooner than leave a man behind. Although wounded by a musket ball in the thigh he retained the charge of his boat; and when the staff was shot away, held the stump in his hand, with the flag, until alongside the Freeborn.

Sources

• U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index