The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant John Wilson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 31 March 1865, while serving with Company L, 1st New Jersey Cavalry, in action at Chamberlain’s Creek, Virginia. With the assistance of one comrade, Sergeant Wilson headed off the advance of the enemy, shooting two of his Color Bearers; also posted himself between the enemy and the lead horses of his own command, thus saving the herd from capture.