b. 22/12/1876 St Albans, West Virginia. d. 24/04/1937 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 13/04/1904 USS Missouri.
Robert E Cox MOH
Cox was born December 22, 1876 in St. Albans, West Virginia and after joining the navy was stationed aboard the USS Missouri (BB-11). On April 13, 1904 the Missouri was engaging in target practice when one of the ships 12″ gun “flared back”. As the breech was opened for reloading, hot gases were released into the turret, causing it to catch fire. The fire spread to a bag of propellant and from there it spread down to the ammunition handling chamber. Cox along with 2 gunners mates contained the fire before it spread to other areas of the ship and in putting out the blaze. The fire was eventually contained but before it was out 36 of the ship’s crew were dead. For his actions received the Medal of Honor May 26, 1904. For his actions received the Medal of Honor April 14, 1921 from President Warren G. Harding at The White House.
MOH CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism on U.S.S. Missouri 13 April 1904. While at target practice off Pensacola, Fla., an accident occurred in the after turret of the Missouri whereby the lives of 5 officers and 28 men were lost. The ship was in imminent danger of destruction by explosion, and the prompt action of C.G. Cox and 2 gunners’ mates caused the fire to be brought under control, and the loss of the Missouri, together with her crew, was averted.
BURIAL LOCATION; ROSE HILL CEMETERY, ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION F, LOT 6
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
