Hawkins House of Honor
Joseph House is committed to providing services to veterans at every stage of recovery from alcoholism and substance abuse. To serve veterans in recovery who need extended time in a safe, supportive, abstinence-based environment, Joseph House has 47 beds of transitional housing. The Hawkins House of Honor is named for Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins, 6th US Colored Troops, an African-American Civil War hero who was born in Cincinnati in 1840. Sgt Major Hawkins was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at New Market Heights, Virginia, 29 September 1864. The Sgt Major was discharged on account of his wounds on 20 May 1865. At the mustering out ceremony of the 6th USCT, Hawkins was personally presented the regimental colors. This was highly unusual, and is indicative of the high esteem in which he was held. Thomas Hawkins settled in Washington DC after the war and worked for the federal government. He died tragically young, aged 29, from his war wounds in 1870.
