b. 1846 Easton, Massachusetts. d. 30/05/1893 Denver, Colorado.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 1872 Arizona Territory.
James H. Turpin was born in Easton, Massachusetts in about 1846. He enlisted in the United States Army in Boston, Massachusetts as a private. Turpin was assigned to frontier duty, and served with Company L of the Fifth Cavalry Regiment, seeing action during the Apache Wars and eventually reached the rank of First Sergeant.
In late 1872, Turpin accompanied Lieutenant Colonel George Crook in his “winter campaign” against the Apache renegades still active in the Arizona Territory, following the surrender of Apache Chief Cochise. Turpin was involved in heavy fighting in the Tonto Basin region, where Western Apache and Yavapais raiding parties had been active for many years. He was one of 23 expedition members who were presented with the Medal of Honor, his citation reading “gallantry in actions with Apaches”.
Turpin died on May 6, 1893, at the age of 47 and was interred at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
MOH CITATION:
Gallantry in actions with Apaches.
BURIAL LOCATION: FAIRMOUNT CEMETERY, DENVER, COLORADO.
BLOCK 11, LOT 46, SECTION SE4.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
