Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Lieutenant, j.g. George McCall Courts received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. Courts was 26 years old.
40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Commander.
Courts was born on February 16, 1888 in Washington, District of Columbia. Courts died on August 1, 1932 in Newport, Rhode Island, at the age of 44. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Mount Pleasant, SC.
Courts is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 34 credited to District of Columbia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. Under fire, Lt. (j.g.) Courts was eminent and conspicuous in the performance of his duties. He had well qualified himself by thorough study during his years of duty in Mexico to deal with the conditions of this engagement, and his services were of great value. He twice volunteered and passed in an open boat through the zone of fire to convey important orders to the Chester, then under a severe fire.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Naval Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in District of Columbia →
Timeline
- February 16, 1888Born in Washington, District of Columbia
- April 21, 1914Act of valor — Vera Cruz, MexicoAge 26.
- August 1, 1932Died in Newport, Rhode IslandAge 44.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
George McCall Courts (February 16, 1888 – August 1, 1932) was born in the District of Columbia. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1907. He received the Medal of Honor for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914.
From the Wikipedia article “George McCall Courts”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
