Gunner's Mate First Class Charles Stephen Schepke, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 13, 1904 aboard U.S.S. Missouri at Sea, Caribbean Sea — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Missouri. Schepke was 25 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 1904 — presented by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
Schepke was born on December 26, 1878 in New York, New York. Schepke died on February 27, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 54. He is buried at The Lutheran Cemetery in MiddleVillage, New York.
Official Medal of Honor 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
From the archives
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.
Timeline
- December 26, 1878Born in New York, New York
- April 13, 1904Act of valor — U.S.S. Missouri at Sea, Caribbean SeaAge 25. U.S.S. Missouri
- May 1904Medal of Honor presentedPresented by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt
- February 27, 1933Died in Brooklyn, New YorkAge 54.
- Resting placeThe Lutheran CemeteryMiddleVillage, New York
Biography
Charles Stephen Schepke (December 26, 1878 – February 27, 1933) was a gunner's mate first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “Charles S. Schepke”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
