James Hill (Medal of Honor, 1864)

James Samuel Hill
Born	1845
Died	April 10, 1865 (aged 19–20)
Place of birth	Lyons, New York
Place of death	Danville, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	U.S. Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	Company C, 14th New York Heavy Artillery
Battles/wars	Battle of the Crater
Awards	Medal of Honor

Sergeant 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.

Medal of Honor citation

Capture of flag, shooting a Confederate officer who was rallying his men with the colors in his hand.

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Battle of the Crater