Rank Second lieutenant | Name Aaron Tompkins | |
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Born February 2, 1844Orange, New Jersey ( 1844-02-02 ) Allegiance United States of AmericaUnion Place of burial Rosedale Cemetery, West Orange, New Jersey, United States Service/branch | ||
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.