Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Boatswain's Mate First Class George Robert Cholister was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on October 20, 1924 in Virginia Cape, Norfolk, on board the U.S.S. Trenton, Virginia — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Trenton. Cholister was 25 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 3, 1933, 8 years after the action.
Cholister was born on December 18, 1898 in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. Cholister died on October 21, 1924, at the age of 25. He is buried at Colestown Cemetery in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of a fire on board the U.S.S. Trenton. At 3:35 on the afternoon of 20 October 1924, while the Trenton was preparing to fire trial installation shots from the two 6-inch guns in the forward twin mount of that vessel, two charges of powder ignited. Twenty men were trapped in the twin mount. Four died almost immediately and 10 later from burns and inhalation of flames and gases. The six others were severely injured. Cholister, without thought of his own safety, on seeing that the charge of powder from the left gun was ignited, jumped for the right charge and endeavored to put it in the immersion tank. The left charge burst into flame and ignited the right charge before Cholister could accomplish his purpose. He fell unconscious while making a supreme effort to save his shipmates and died the following day.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Jersey →
Timeline
- December 18, 1898Born in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey
- October 20, 1924Act of valor — Virginia Cape, Norfolk, on board the U.S.S. Trenton, VirginiaAge 25. U.S.S. Trenton
- October 21, 1924DiedAge 25.
- February 3, 1933Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeColestown CemeteryCherry Hill, New Jersey
Biography
George Robert Cholister (December 18, 1898 – October 21, 1924) was a United States Navy sailor awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions on October 20, 1924. His medal was awarded by a special act of the United States Congress. Ensign Henry Clay Drexler was awarded a Medal of Honor and Navy Cross for the same heroism. Boatswain's Mate Cholister is buried in Cherry Hill, New Jersey at Colestown Cemetery.
From the Wikipedia article “George Robert Cholister”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
