Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Interim 1899 - 1910 - U.S. Navy
Robert Edward Cox
- Rank: Chief Gunner
- Conflict/Era: Interim 1899 - 1910
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Missouri - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: April 13, 1904
- Medal of Honor Action Place: U.S.S. Missouri at Sea, Caribbean Sea
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 five 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 two gunners' mates caused the fire to be brought under control, and the loss of the Missouri, together with her crew, was averted.
- Accredited to: West Virginia
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: April 14, 1921
The White House, presented by Pres. Warren G. Harding
- Born: December 22, 1876, St. Albans, Kanawha County, WV, United States
- Died: April 24, 1937, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Buried: Rose Hill Cemetery (MH) (F-6), Altoona, PA, United States
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 Cox and two gunners mates the fire was brought under control and the loss of the Missouri, together with her crew, was averted."
The two gunners mates also received the Medal of Honor: Mons Monssen and Charles S. Schepke.