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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Corporal · U.S. Army

John J. Thompson

Corporal John J. Thompson, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on February 6, 1865 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War February 6, 1865Born in Germany

Corporal John J. Thompson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 6, 1865 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 1st Maryland Infantry. Thompson was 26 years old.

9 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 10, 1897, 32 years after the action.

Thompson was born on August 14, 1838 in Holstein, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. Thompson died on July 2, 1915 in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 76. He is buried at Immanuel Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

Thompson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 85 credited to Maryland.

★ Flags & Colors

Official Medal of Honor citation

As color bearer with most conspicuous gallantry preceded his regiment in the assault and planted his flag upon the enemy's works.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. August 14, 1838
    Born in Holstein, Germany
  2. February 6, 1865
    Act of valor — Hatcher's Run, Virginia
    Age 26. Company C, 1st Maryland Infantry
  3. September 10, 1897
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. July 2, 1915
    Died in Baltimore, Maryland
    Age 76.
  5. Resting place
    Immanuel Cemetery
    Baltimore, Maryland

Also honored for actions on February 6, 1865

AC Abel G. Cadwallader Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 DC Daniel G. Caldwell Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 JC James Coey Major · Army Civil War · 1865 CD Charles Day Private · Army Civil War · 1865 John Carroll Delaney Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 JS John Christopher Sagelhurst Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 WS William Sands First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 FS Francis M. Smith First Lieutenant & Adjutant · Army Civil War · 1865 John Mitchell Vanderslice Private · Army Civil War · 1865

More Civil War recipients from Maryland

Charles Edward Phelps Colonel · Army Civil War · 1864 WW William Wright Yeoman · Navy Civil War · 1864 WT William Taylor Sergeant & Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1864 Jacob Koogle First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 CM Charles W. Morton Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 CV Charles Veal Private · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.