Leander A. Wilkins

Sergeant Leander A. Wilkins was a soldier from New Hampshire who fought in the American Civil War. Wilkins received the United States' highest medal for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia on 30 July 1864. He was presented the medal on 1 December 1864.

Biography
Very little is known about Wilkins before or after the war. He was born Lancaster, New Hampshire and enlisted into Company H of the 9th New Hampshire Infantry.

While fighting in the Battle of the Crater on 30 July 1864 Sergeant Wilkins recaptured the colors of the 21st Massachusetts Infantry in a hand-to-hand fight after it had been captured by Confederte forces. For his actions during this battle, he received the United States militiaries highest, and at that time only, medal for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor on 1 December 1864.