William J. "Willie" Johnston | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Johnston,_William_H_aka_Willie_c1862_MoH_winner_public_domain.jpg) Johnston in late 1863, shortly after receiving the Medal of Honor | |
| Born | July 12, 1850 St. Johnsbury, Vermont, US |
| Died | September 16, 1941 (aged 91) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Musician |
| Unit | 3rd Vermont Infantry 20th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Alma mater | Norwich University (attended) |
| Other work | Machinist, Boston Navy Yard |
William J. Johnston[1][a] (July 12, 1850 – September 16, 1941) was a drummer boy in Company D of the 3rd Vermont Infantry during the American Civil War. When his division was routed during the Seven Days Battles during the Peninsula Campaign of June to July 1862, he was the only drummer to come away with his instrument. His superiors considered this a meritorious feat, given that the regiment's other soldiers had thrown away their guns and equipment to lighten their loads as they retreated. As a result, he received the Medal of Honor in 1863; at age 13, he remains the youngest recipient of the award.
- ^ Peladeau, Marius B. (2005). Willie Went to War. Newport, VT: Vermont Civil War Enterprises. pp. 106, 177. ISBN 978-0-9772-0730-5 – via Google Books.
For the first time we discover that his middle initial was "J."
- ^ "Massachusetts, U.S. Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Marriage Record for William H. Johnson (sic) and Nellie M. Murphy". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. February 18, 1870. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
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