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Chief Gunner · U.S. Navy

Robert Semple

Chief Gunner Robert Semple, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 21, 1914

Chief Gunner Robert Semple, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Florida. Semple 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 Lieutenant Commander.

Semple was born on August 18, 1887 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Semple died on May 13, 1943 in San Diego, California, at the age of 55. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

Semple is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For meritorious service under fire on the occasion of the landing of the American naval forces at Vera Cruz on 21 April 1914. C.G. Semple was then attached to the U.S.S. Florida as a chief turret captain.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

1914 · Veracruz 1914

Battle of Veracruz

Result: American victory; Veracruz occupied by the United States; Military Government of Veracruz established;...

19 Medal of Honor recipients

Places

  • Born: Pittsburgh — map
  • Died: San Diego — map
  • Buried: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. August 18, 1887
    Born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
  2. April 21, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 26. U.S.S. Florida
  3. May 13, 1943
    Died in San Diego, California
    Age 55.
  4. Resting place
    Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
    San Diego, California

Biography

Robert Semple (August 18, 1887 – May 13, 1943) was born in Pittsburgh and became famous as the Chief Gunner in the United States Navy stationed aboard the USS Florida (BB-30). Semple achieved the rank of lieutenant commander. He received the Medal of Honor for his service during the Vera Cruz campaign. He also received the Navy Cross for his service in the North Sea minefields during World War I. After retiring in 1937, he was recalled at the start of World War II, and died while on active duty. Semple is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.

From the Wikipedia article “Robert Semple (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 21, 1914

OB Oscar Charles Badger Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 HB Harry C. Beasley Seaman · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Randolph Carter Berkeley Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Francis Bishop Quartermaster Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GB George Bradley Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Allen Buchanan Lieutenant Commander · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Guy Wilkinson stuart Castle Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 George McCall Courts Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GC George Cregan Coxswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 PD Percy A. Decker Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Abraham Desomer Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 ND Niels Drustrup Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 41 recipients for April 21, 1914 →

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.