General John M. Wilson - West Point, NY
N 41° 23.980 W 073° 57.986
18T E 586397 N 4583640
General Wilson was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Malvern Hill.
Waymark Code: WM7MFW
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 11/09/2009
Views: 12
John Moulder Wilson was born in Washington, D. C., on October 8, 1837 and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1860. He was a member of the Corps of Topographical Engineers and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Malvern Hill on August 6, 1862. (
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He joined the Army Corps of Engineers in 1863 and received several promotions while serving in Alabama.
After the Civil War Wilson drafted plans for a canal around the Cascades of the Columbia River. He also improved the Great Lakes harbors at Oswego, New York, Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio. General Wilson also served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1889-1893. He also directed the activities of the Army Corps of Engineers during the Spanish-American War. During the administration of President Grover Cleveland, General Wilson served as superintendent of Buildings and Grounds in Washington, D. C.
General Wilson retired from military service in April 1901 and served as an arbitrator during the 1902 Coal Strike. After his retirement he lived out his remaining years in Washington, D. C., Where he immersed himself in the social and cultural life of the capital. General Wilson died on February 1, 1919 and is buried in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, New York.
General John Wilson was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Malvern Hill. His Medal of Honor Citation reads:
“Remained on duty, while suffering from an acute illness and very weak, and participated in the action of that date. A few days previous he had been transferred to a staff corps, but preferred to remain until the close of the campaign, taking part in several actions.”