Battles/wars American Civil War Rank Second lieutenant | Awards Medal of Honor Name Aaron Tompkins | |
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Born February 2, 1844
Orange, New Jersey ( 1844-02-02 ) Buried at Rosedale Cemetery, Orange, New Jersey Allegiance United States of America
Union Died November 27, 1931, Essex County, New Jersey, United States Place of burial Rosedale Cemetery, West Orange, New Jersey, United States Service/branch United States Army, Union Army | ||
Battles and wars American Civil War | ||
Aaron Blake Tompkins (February 2, 1844–November 27, 1931) was a cavalry soldier who received the Medal of Honor while serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
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Military career
Blake joined the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry in December 1861. He was serving as a Sergeant in Company G when he performed his act of bravery at the April 5, 1865 Battle of Sailor's Creek, 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. His grave can be found in the Lawn Section, Lot 31, Grave 6.
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.