James Wiley (Medal of Honor)

James Wiley (1835 – February 7, 1865) was an American soldier who fought with the Union Army in the American Civil War. Wiley received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for actions taken on July 3, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg.

James Wiley
Born1835
DiedFebruary 7, 1865 (aged 29-30)
Andersonville, Georgia
Buried
Andersonville National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
RankSergeant
Unit Company B, 59th New York Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsBattle of Gettysburg
American Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

On July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, Wiley captured the flag of the 48th Georgia.[1][2] He was awarded with the Medal of Honor following this action.[3]

Following Gettysburg, Wiley was captured during the Siege of Petersburg and taken to a prisoner of war camp in Andersonville, Georgia. He died at the camp on February 7, 1865.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant James Wiley, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 3 July 1863, while serving with Company B, 59th New York Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for capture of flag of a Georgia regiment.[4]

References
  1. Young, Jesse Bowman (1913). The Battle of Gettysburg: A Comprehensive Narrative. Harper. p. 394. ISBN 978-1-4637-1746-9. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  2. Pfanz, Harry W. (15 June 2011). Gettysburg--The Second Day. UNC Press Books. p. 417. ISBN 978-0-8078-6973-4. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  3. "Military". Telegraph-Forum. 27 June 2003. p. 29. Retrieved 4 September 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "James Wiley - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
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