About William Thompson
Lived 1812 – 1872 (aged 59–60). William Thompson was an American military personnel.
William Thompson (c. 1812 – September 12, 1872) was an American sailor who was a Signal Quartermaster in the American Civil War and recipient of the Medal of Honor for action at Forts Beauregard and Walker on Hilton Head, South Carolina, on November 7, 1861. He was wounded by a piece of shell which caused his legs to be amputated.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Thompson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Thompson?
American soldier, born 1812
When was William Thompson born?
William Thompson was born in 1812 in Cape May County.
When did William Thompson die?
William Thompson died on 12 September 1872 in Pennsylvania.
What was William Thompson's occupation?
William Thompson was a military personnel.
What nationality was William Thompson?
William Thompson was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: William Thompson (Medal of Honor, 1861)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Thompson. https://biography.guide/william-thompson-military-personnel-1812/
MLA: "William Thompson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-thompson-military-personnel-1812/.
Chicago: "William Thompson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-thompson-military-personnel-1812/.
Data last updated: 2026-10-01 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-10-04 14:45 UTC