Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served during the Civil War in Company G, 8th New York Heavy Artillery, rising to 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia om June 3, 1864. His citation reads "Sergeant LeRoy Williams did voluntarily exposed himself to the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters and located the body of his colonel who had been killed close to the enemy's lines. Under cover of darkness, with 4 companions, he recovered the body and brought it within the Union lines, havinh approached within a few feet of the Confederate pickets while so engaged". He was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutentant for this action and later, on April 1, 1898, 33 years after the wars end he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He was a life long member of the Grand Army of the Republic and served not only as Post Commander but later State Commander for New York. He died in 1930 at age 85 and was laid to rest with full military honors in the Williams family plot in the Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, New York. A bronze plaque was added to his grave in June of 1991 by the Medal of Honor Society.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served during the Civil War in Company G, 8th New York Heavy Artillery, rising to 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia om June 3, 1864. His citation reads "Sergeant LeRoy Williams did voluntarily exposed himself to the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters and located the body of his colonel who had been killed close to the enemy's lines. Under cover of darkness, with 4 companions, he recovered the body and brought it within the Union lines, havinh approached within a few feet of the Confederate pickets while so engaged". He was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutentant for this action and later, on April 1, 1898, 33 years after the wars end he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He was a life long member of the Grand Army of the Republic and served not only as Post Commander but later State Commander for New York. He died in 1930 at age 85 and was laid to rest with full military honors in the Williams family plot in the Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, New York. A bronze plaque was added to his grave in June of 1991 by the Medal of Honor Society.
Bio by: Herbert Rickards
Family Members
Children
Advertisement
See more Williams memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
