William H. Thompkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William H. Thompkins
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Thompkins wearing his Medal of Honor
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| Born | October 3, 1872 Paterson, New Jersey |
| Died | September 24, 1916 (aged 43) San Francisco, California |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Rank |  Sergeant |
| Unit | Troop G, 10th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War • Battle of Tayacoba |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
William H. Thompkins (born October 3, 1872 – died September 24, 1916) was a brave Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army. He received America's highest military award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Spanish–American War. William Thompkins and three other Buffalo Soldiers were the last African American soldiers to receive this special medal for over 50 years.
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A Heroic Soldier's Life
William Thompkins joined the U.S. Army in August 1889. He was part of the 10th Cavalry Regiment, serving as a private. The 10th Cavalry was one of the famous "Buffalo Soldier" regiments. These regiments were made up of African American soldiers who played a big part in American history.
The Spanish-American War
In June 1898, during the Spanish–American War, Thompkins was near Trinidad, Cuba. American soldiers on a ship called the USS Florida sent a small group to explore Spanish areas nearby. This group was found by Spanish scouts and came under heavy attack. Their boats were sunk, leaving them stuck on the shore.
A Daring Rescue Mission
The soldiers on the USS Florida tried to rescue their friends several times. The first four attempts failed because of the strong enemy fire. But a fifth rescue attempt was launched at night. This time, William Thompkins and three other privates from the 10th Cavalry were part of the team. Their names were Dennis Bell, Fitz Lee, and George H. Wanton.
Under the cover of darkness, this brave team successfully found and rescued the stranded soldiers. This heroic act became known as the Battle of Tayacoba.
Receiving the Medal of Honor
About a year later, on June 23, 1899, William Thompkins and the three other soldiers who helped with the rescue were given the Medal of Honor. This medal is the highest award for bravery a soldier can receive in the United States. It shows how incredibly courageous their actions were.
William Thompkins passed away in 1916. He was buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.
