Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Ensign Henry Clay Drexler 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. Drexler was 23 years old.
Drexler was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 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.
Drexler was born on August 7, 1901 in Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
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. Ens. Drexler, 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 Ens. Drexler could accomplish his purpose. He met his death while making a supreme effort to save his shipmates.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (October 20, 1924).
- Age at death: 23
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Henry Clay Drexler received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Naval Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- August 7, 1901Born in Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
- October 20, 1924Act of valor — Virginia Cape, Norfolk, on board the U.S.S. Trenton, VirginiaAge 23. U.S.S. Trenton Killed in action.
- February 3, 1933Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Henry Clay Drexler (August 7, 1901 – October 20, 1924) was an Ensign in the United States Navy and a recipient of both the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “Henry Clay Drexler”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Drexler — destroyer
