Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Aaron B. Tompkins received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 5, 1865 at Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company G, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Tompkins was 21 years old.
13 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 3, 1865. He later rose to the rank of First Sergeant.
Tompkins was born on February 15, 1844 in Orange, Essex County, New Jersey. His Medal of Honor is credited to Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. Tompkins died on November 25, 1931, at the age of 87. He is buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Orange, New Jersey.
Tompkins is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Charged into the enemy's ranks and captured a battle flag, having a horse shot under him and his cheeks and shoulders cut with a saber.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Jersey →
Timeline
- February 15, 1844Born in Orange, Essex County, New Jersey
- April 5, 1865Act of valor — Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), VirginiaAge 21. Company G, 1st New Jersey Cavalry
- July 3, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- November 25, 1931DiedAge 87.
- Resting placeRosedale CemeteryOrange, New Jersey
Biography
Aaron Blake Tompkins (February 2, 1844–November 27, 1931) was a cavalry soldier who received the Medal of Honor while serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Aaron B. Tompkins”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
