The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major William Edgar Simonds, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 14 April 1863, while serving with 25th Connecticut Infantry, in action at Irish Bend, Louisiana. Sergeant Major Simonds displayed great gallantry, under a heavy fire from the enemy, in calling in the skirmishers and assisting in forming the line of battle.