The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Wilson J. Vance, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 31 December 1862, while serving with Company B, 21st Ohio Infantry, in action at Stone River, Tennessee. Voluntarily and under a heavy fire, while his command was falling back, Private Vance rescued a wounded and helpless comrade from death or capture.