The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant John J. Nolan, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 27 October 1862, while serving with Company K, 8th New Hampshire Infantry, in action at Georgia Landing, Louisiana. Although prostrated by a cannon shot, Sergeant Nolan refused to give up the flag which he was carrying as Color Bearer of his regiment and continued to carry it at the head of the regiment throughout the engagement.