Aaron Blake Tompkins (February 2, 1844–November 27, 1931) was a
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...
soldier who received the
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
while serving in the
Union Army during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
.
Military career
Blake joined the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry in December 1861. He was serving as a
Sergeant
Sergeant (Sgt) is a Military rank, rank in use by the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and in other units that draw their heritage f ...
in Company G when he performed his act of bravery at the April 5, 1865
Battle of Sailor's Creek
A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...
, Virginia.
His Medal was awarded to him on July 3, 1865, with a citation that reads "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."
He died in Essex County, New Jersey, and was buried in
Rosedale Cemetery, Orange, New Jersey.
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
/ref>
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company G, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At Sailors Creek, Va., April 5, 1865. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Orange, Essex County, N.J. Date of issue: July 3, 1865.
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.
See also
*List of Medal of Honor recipients
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. Recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own ...
* List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: T–Z
Notes
References
*
*Bilby, Joseph G. and Goble, William C., "''Remember You Are Jerseymen: A Military History of Jersey's Troops in the Civil War''", Longstreet House, Hightstown, June 1998. .
*Lang, George, Collins, Raymond L., and White, Gerald, ''Medal of Honor recipients 1863-1994'', 1995
*Stryker, William S., "''Record of Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Civil War 1861-1865''", Trenton, New Jersey, 1876.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tompkins, Aaron B.
1844 births
1931 deaths
People of New Jersey in the American Civil War
United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
Union army soldiers
Military personnel from Orange, New Jersey
American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor