Thomas R. Hawkins

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Thomas R. Hawkins
Born 1840
Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins
Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins
Place of birth Cincinnati, Ohio
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Sergeant Major
Unit 6th United States Colored Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars American Civil War
*Battle of Chaffin's Farm
Awards Medal of Honor

Thomas R. Hawkins (1840 – 1870) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.

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[edit] Biography

Hawkins joined the Army from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and by September 29, 1864 was serving as a Sergeant Major in the 6th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment when the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia, began. More than five years later, on February 8, 1870, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for "[r]escue of regimental colors" during that battle.

Thomas Hawkins died at age 29 or 30, and a plaque in his memory was placed in Harmony Memorial Park, Landover, Maryland.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 6th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Va., 29 September 1864. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio. Date of issue: 8 February 1870.

Citation:

Rescue of regimental colors.

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