Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal George W. Thompkins received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 25, 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 124th New York Infantry. Thompkins was 23 years old.
11 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 6, 1865.
Thompkins was born on April 9, 1841 in Orange County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Port Jervis, Orange County, New York. Thompkins died on February 22, 1934 in Schenectady, New York, at the age of 92. He is buried at Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, New York. Records also list him as Tompkins, George W..
Thompkins is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capture of flag of 49th Alabama Infantry (C.S.A.) from an officer who, with colors in hand, was rallying his men.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- April 9, 1841Born in Orange County, New York
- March 25, 1865Act of valor — Petersburg, VirginiaAge 23. Company F, 124th New York Infantry
- April 6, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- February 22, 1934Died in Schenectady, New YorkAge 92.
- Resting placeVale CemeterySchenectady, New York
Biography
George W. Thompkins (April 9, 1841 - February 22, 1934), also known as George W. Tompkins, was a Union army soldier in the American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions with the 124th New York Infantry ("Orange Blossoms") at the Battle of Fort Stedman.
From the Wikipedia article “George W. Thompkins”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
