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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

William H. Thompkins

Private William H. Thompkins, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 30, 1898 in Tayabacoa, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War June 30, 1898

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private William H. Thompkins received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 30, 1898 in Tayabacoa, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with Troop G, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Thompkins was 25 years old.

4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 23, 1899. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.

Thompkins was born on October 3, 1872 in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey. Thompkins died on September 24, 1916 in San Francisco, California, at the age of 43. He is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.

Thompkins is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving

Official Medal of Honor citation

Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.

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

Timeline

  1. October 3, 1872
    Born in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey
  2. June 30, 1898
    Act of valor — Tayabacoa, Cuba
    Age 25. Troop G, 10th U.S. Cavalry
  3. June 23, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. September 24, 1916
    Died in San Francisco, California
    Age 43.
  5. Resting place
    San Francisco National Cemetery
    San Francisco, California

Further reading

Also honored for actions on June 30, 1898

Dennis Bell Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Fitz Lee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 FM Frederick Muller Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GW George Henry Wanton Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898

More Spanish-American War recipients from New Jersey

HV Hudson van Etten Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GM George Frederick Mager Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898
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.