William Laing Heermance
Born: February 28, 1837 at Kinderhook, New York
Home Town: Kinderhook, New York
Status: POW
Date of Issue: March 30, 1898
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain William Laing Heermance, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 30 April 1863, while serving with Company C, 6th New York Cavalry, in action at Chancellorsville, Virginia. Captain Heermance took command of the regiment as its senior officer when surrounded by Stuart’s Cavalry. The regiment cut its way through the enemy’s line and escaped but Captain Heermance was desperately wounded, left for dead on the field and was taken prisoner.
