John Williams (Medal of Honor, born 1828)

John Williams (1828 – October 3, 1886) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Mathias Point.

[1][2] On June 27, 1861,[nb 1] Williams was among two small boats of men sent from Pawnee to assist USS Thomas Freeborn in attacking a Confederate force at Mathias Point on the Potomac River in Virginia.

After skirmishers and artillery fire from Thomas Freeborn cleared the point, men from the small boats landed and attempted to build fortifications.

[4] John Williams later served on USS Ticonderoga as part of the European Squadron and was aboard that ship when he received his physical medal.

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.