The City of South Kingstown pays tribute to its hometown honorees who served our nation and the South Kingstown neighborhood throughout conflicts.
Sergeant William J. Babcock
The President of america of America, within the identify of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant William J. Babcock, United States Military, for extraordinary heroism on 2 April 1865, whereas serving with 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, in motion at Petersburg, Virginia. Sergeant Babcock broke via the Accomplice traces, the primary of his regiment to enter the enemy works, and planted the flag upon the parapet whereas the enemy nonetheless occupied the road.
Battle/Period: U.S. Civil Conflict
Unit/Command: 2nd Rhode Island Infantry
Navy Service Department: U.S. Military
Medal of Honor Motion Date: April 2, 1865
Medal of Honor Motion Place: Petersburg, Virginia, USA
Corporal David Bernard Champagne
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity on the threat of his life above and past the decision of obligation whereas serving as a fireplace staff chief of Firm A, in motion in opposition to enemy aggressor forces. Advancing together with his platoon within the preliminary assault of the corporate in opposition to a strongly fortified and closely defended hill place, Cpl. Champagne skillfully led his hearth staff via a veritable hail of intense enemy machine-gun, small-arms, and grenade hearth, overrunning trenches and a sequence of virtually impregnable bunker positions earlier than reaching the crest of the hill and putting his males in defensive positions. Struggling a painful leg wound whereas aiding in repelling the following hostile counterattack, which was launched below cowl of a murderous hail of mortar and artillery hearth, he steadfastly refused evacuation and fearlessly continued to regulate his hearth staff. When the enemy counterattack elevated in depth, and a hostile grenade landed within the midst of the hearth staff, Cpl. Champagne unhesitatingly seized the lethal missile and hurled it within the route of the approaching enemy. Mortally wounded by enemy mortar hearth whereas on this uncovered place, Cpl. Champagne, by his valiant management, fortitude, and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice within the face of virtually sure loss of life, undoubtedly saved the lives of a number of of his fellow marines. His heroic actions served to encourage all who noticed him and replicate the very best credit score upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his nation.
Battle/Period: Korean Conflict
Unit/Command: Firm A, 1st Battalion, seventh Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein)
Navy Service Department: U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Motion Date: Could 28, 1952
Medal of Honor Motion Place: Korea
Sergeant William Grant Fournier
For gallantry and intrepidity above and past the decision of obligation. As chief of a machine-gun part charged with the safety of different battalion models, his group was attacked by a superior variety of Japanese, his gunner killed, his assistant gunner wounded, and an adjoining gun crew put out of motion. Ordered to withdraw from this hazardous place, Sgt. Fournier refused to retire however rushed ahead to the idle gun and, with the help of one other soldier who joined him, held up the machine gun by the tripod to extend its area of motion. They opened hearth and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. Whereas so engaged each these gallant troopers had been killed, however their sturdy defensive motion was a decisive issue within the following success of the attacking battalion.
Battle/Period: World Conflict II
Unit/Command: Firm M, thirty fifth Infantry, twenty fifth Infantry Division
Navy Service Department: U.S. Military
Medal of Honor Motion Date: January 10, 1943
Medal of Honor Motion Place: Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
