James Wiley (Medal of Honor)

James Wiley
Born	c. 1835
Died	February 7, 1865 (aged 29-30) Andersonville, Georgia
Buried	Andersonville National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	Company B, 59th New York Volunteer Infantry
Battles / wars	Battle of Gettysburg American Civil War
Awards	Medal of Honor

James Wiley (c. 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.

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.

External links

• James Wiley on Find A Grave