Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy

William Thompson

Details
  • Rank: Signal Quartermaster
  • Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
  • Unit/Command:
    U.S.S. Mohican
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: November 7, 1861
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA
Citation
During action of the main squadron of ships against heavily defended Forts Beauregard and Walker on Hilton Head, 7 November 1861. Serving as a signal quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Mohican, Thompson steadfastly steered the ship with a steady and bold heart under the batteries; was wounded by a piece of shell but remained at his station until he fell from loss of blood. Leg since amputated.
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Born: 1812, Cape May County, NJ, United States
  • Died: September 12, 1872, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • Buried: Mount Moriah Cemetery (MH) (VA plot 14-12), Philadelphia, PA, United States
 

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