Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
John Williams II
Details
- Rank: Boatswain's Mate
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Mohican - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: November 7, 1861
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA
Citation
Captain of an 11-inch gun aboard the U.S.S. Mohican during action of the main squadron of ships against the heavily defended Forts Beauregard and Walker on Hilton Head, and against ships of the Confederate fleet, 7 November 1861. Cool and courageous at his battle station, Williams maintained steady fire against the enemy while under the fort batteries during a four-hour engagement which resulted in silencing the batteries of the forts and in the rout of the rebel steamers.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: August 1, 1863
- Born: 1831, Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth), Union County, NJ, United States
- Died: October 30, 1899, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY, United States