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.
Presented by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt
Additional information is available in Navy General Order 43, dated April 14, 1921:
"The records of the department show that while at target practice off Pensacola, Fla., on April 13, 1904, an accident occurred in the after turret of the Missouri whereby the lives of 5 officers and 28 enlisted men were lost. That the ship was in immienent danger of destruction by explosion owing to the blazing fire in contact with the thin copper tanks containing smokeless powder in one of the 12-inch magazines. That by the prompt action of [Robert E.] Cox and two gunners mates the fire was brought under control and the loss of the Missouri, together with her crew, was averted."
The other two men mentioned above also received the Medal of Honor: Mons Monssen and Robert E. Cox.