William Jones (soldier)

First Sergeant William Jones (1835-May 12, 1864) was a soldier from New York who fought in the American Civil War. Jones posthumously received the United States' highest medal for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Spotsylvania, Virginia on 12 May 1864. He was presented the medal on 1 December 1864.

Biography
Jones was born in 1835 in Wicklow, Ireland and at some point prior to the American Civil War emigrated to the United States and settled in New York. He was enlisted into Company A, 73d New York Infantry from New York, New York.

While fighting in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on 12 May 1864, First Sergeant Jones captured the flag of the Confederate 65th Virginia Infantry. Although he was killed in action later in the battle, for his actions during this battle, he received the United States military's highest, and at that time only medal for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. The medal was presented to him on 1 December 1864. Jones was killed in action May 12, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia. He is buried in Fredericksburg National Cemetery Fredericksburg, Virginia. His grave plot number is 2448. .