Anthony Williams (Medal of Honor)

Anthony Williams (born c. 1822, 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 Wilmington Campaign.

Anthony Williams
Bornc. 1822
Plymouth, Massachusetts
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
RankSailmaker's Mate
UnitUSS Pontoosuc
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
 • Wilmington Campaign
AwardsMedal of Honor

Born in about 1822 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Williams was living in Portsmouth, Maine, when he joined the Navy. He served as a sailmaker's mate on the USS Pontoosuc in the Wilmington Campaign, from the First Battle of Fort Fisher on December 24, 1864, through the campaign's end on February 22, 1865. For his actions during this period, he was awarded the Medal of Honor months later, on June 22, 1865.[1][2]

Williams' official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Served as sailmaker's mate on board the U.S.S. Pontoosuc during the capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, 24 December 1864 to 22 February 1865. Carrying out his duties faithfully throughout this period, Williams was recommended for gallantry and skill and for his cool courage while under the fire of the enemy throughout these various actions.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Anthony Williams". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "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 July 11, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2012.