James Hill (Medal of Honor, 1864)

Private James S. Hill (1845-April 10, 1865) was a soldier from New York who fought in the American Civil War. Hill 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 award on 1 December 1864.

Biography
Hill was born in Lyons, New York in 1845. He enlisted into Company C, 14th New York Heavy Artillery in his home town of Lyons, New York. While fighting in the Battle of the Crater 30 July 1864 Sergeant Hill shot a Confederate officer who was rallying his men and captured the flag. For his actions during this battle, he received the United States highest, and at that time only, medal for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor.

He died on April 10, 1865 in Danville, Virginia at the age of 20. He is buried in Newark Cemetery Newark, New York.