Robert Edward Cox

Robert Edward Cox
Robert Edward Cox receiving his Congressional Medal of Honor in 1921.
Born(1876-12-22)December 22, 1876
St. Albans, West Virginia, U.S.
DiedApril 24, 1937(1937-04-24) (aged 60)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
Place of burial
Rose Hill Cemetery Altoona, Pennsylvania, US
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Navy
Service years1893–1926
RankChief Gunner's Mate
UnitUSS Missouri (BB-11)
ConflictsSpanish–American War
World War I
AwardsMedal of Honor

Robert Edward Cox (December 22, 1876 – April 24, 1937) was a sailor serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Biography

Cox was born December 22, 1876, in St. Albans, West Virginia and joined the navy on May 20, 1893. He was warranted as a gunner on April 11, 1901 and stationed aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-11).[2][3]

On April 13, 1904, the Missouri was engaging in target practice when one of the ships 12" guns "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 helped 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 he received the Medal of Honor April 14, 1921.[2][4][5]

As a warranted ship's officer, Cox was not eligible for the Medal of Honor immediately after the incident. He received the award seventeen years later after the U.S. Congress specifically authorized it on February 1, 1921.[6][7]

Cox was promoted to chief gunner on April 11, 1907 and retired from the U.S. Navy on April 15, 1926.[8]

He died April 24, 1937, and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organizarion: Chief Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 22 December 1855, St. Albans, W. Va. Accredited to: West Virginia. G.O. No.: 43, 14 April 1921. (Medal presented by President Harding.)

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.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "ROBERT EDWARD COX". cmohs.org. Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Interim Awards, 1901-1911; Cox, Robert Edward entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  3. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the Navy of the United States and of the Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1904. pp. 84–85. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "USS Missouri (BB-11), 1903-1922, Selected Views". Online Library of Selected Images: -- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --. Naval Historical Center. January 21, 1999. Archived from the original on October 1, 1999. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  5. ^ "USS Missouri (BB-11) Turret Fire, 13 April 1904". Online Library of Selected Images: -- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --. Naval Historical Center. January 21, 1999. Archived from the original on February 19, 2001. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  6. ^ "Bravery on the Missouri". Army and Navy Register. Vol. XXXV, no. 1277. Washington, D.C. June 4, 1904. pp. 14–15. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  7. ^ Denby, Edwin (April 14, 1921). General Order No. 43: Medal of Honor Awarded Chief Gunner Robert Edward Cox, U. S. N. Washington, D.C.: Navy Department. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  8. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1930. pp. 388–389. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
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