WILLIAMS, LE ROY W. (18 Aug. 1844-14 Feb. 1930), recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for service during the CIVIL WAR, was born in Oswego, New York and enlisted in the 129th New York Volunteer Infantry 29 July 1862. The 129th, redesignated the 8th New York Heavy Artillery, participated in the 3 June 1864 attack against the Confederate Army at Cold Harbor, Va. where Sergeant Williams and four others volunteered to recover the body of Colonel Peter A. Porter, killed close to enemy lines. The mission was successfully conducted under the cover of darkness to evade nearby confederate sharpshooters, and all volunteers received the Medal of Honor for the action. Williams, who was mustered out as a 1st Lieutenant 30 June 1865, received his Medal 1 April 1898.
Williams moved to Cleveland in 1900 with his family and was employed by the White and Standard Sewing Machine Company. He died in Cleveland and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagra Falls, New York.
Last Modified: 10 Jul 1997 05:11:50 PM- Related Article(s)