WILLIAM R. THOMAS, PASSED MIDN, USN
William Thomas '47
Loss
William died of yellow fever aboard a ship near Vera Cruz, Mexico, on November 10, 1847 during the Mexican-American War.
Other Information
He was appointed a midshipman in 1841 and was born in North Carolina.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
William started his naval career in 1842 on the Cyane. He sailed on her several years, and then reported in 1846 to the store ship Southampton. In 1847 he graduated from the Naval Academy and wrote in August that he was anxious to visit his relatives in South Carolina. On September 30, he reported to Captain William K. Latimer at Pensacola for transport to Vera Cruz. He along with several others boarded the Mississippi commanded by Matthew Perry. By November 10, Perry wrote that William along with Lieutenant Theodore Barrett and 3rd assistant engineer Charles Mapes had all died from yellow fever which they probably contracted at Pensacola before sailing.
He was 20 years old. Date of death from Register of Alumni and the 1848 "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps."
Memorial Hall Error
Illness is not a criteria for inclusion in Memorial Hall.
William is one of 32 members of the Class of 1847 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
