b. 26/12/1878 New York. d. 27/02/1933 Brooklyn, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 13/04/1904 USS Missouri in Caribbean Sea.
Charles S Schepke MOH
Charles S. Schepke was born December 26, 1878, in New York City, New York and joined the United States Navy. He was stationed aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-11) as a gunner’s mate first class.
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. Schepke assisted in containing 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 had been killed. For his actions Schepke received the Medal of Honor on May 26, 1904.
He was warranted as a gunner on February 20, 1909, and was promoted to chief gunner on January 16, 1915. During World War I he received a temporary promotion to lieutenant on July 1, 1918.
In June 1921, a Brooklyn, New York judge granted alimony to Schepke’s wife, Gertrude Schepke pending a separation. She was granted a $25 week stipend after she filed for divorce from Lieutenant Schepke.
MOH CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving on the U.S.S. Missouri in remaining by a burning magazine and assisting in extinguishing the fire, 13 April 1904.
