Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
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