New-York tribune., 1921-04-15
Navy Gunner Gets
Medal for Heroic
Deed IL Years AGO
Decoration Bestowed by the
President ut White House
Ceremony ON Robt. E. Cox
by Special Act of Congress
From IN T,ibuna.s Waahinnto Bureau

From The T,fbune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, April 14.--Tor ex-
traorllinary heroism seventeen years
ago Gunner Robert Edward Cox, U.
S. N, was decorated to-day with the
Congressional Medal Of Honor by
President Harding at the White House.
Cox waited a long time for the
honor, but when it finally did come
it brought with i. the added dis
tinction Of being the first Congress
sional Medal of Honor ever pinned on
mans breast in the White House,
The action for which Cox received
the medal took place April 13, 1904.
He was on the U. S. S. Missouri at the
time when an accident took place in
the after turret during maneuvers off
Pensacola, Fla.
sen and S. S. Schepke, then gunner's
mates, but later commissioned, not
only risked their lives in deadly fumes
and blazing powder, but put out fire
in n powder magazine. On recommen-
dation Of the court Of inquiry medals
of honor were awarded Monssen and
Schepke, but as the law at that time
did not permit the awarding of a medal
of honor to warrant officers Gunner Cox
did not receive one, despite the recon-
mendation of the captain of the Mis-
souri and the approval of President
Roosevelt.
All Cox received at the tine was .
congratulatory letter from President
Roosevelt and Secretary of the Navy
Moody.
The Secretary in his letter told Cox
that he had been unanimously recon-
mended for decoration by his captain.
the commander of the North Atlantic
fleet, and the President. The Secre-
tary went on to say that the depart
ment, though denied by law the privi-
lege Of awarding the medal, announced
that "all the distinction that a medal
of honor can convey is yours, by right
Of your admirable courage and pres
ence Of mind on this occasion"
Time passed until on February 60,
1920, the facts were laid before Con-
gress snd on February /, 1921, the fol-
lowing act became a law:
"That the President of the United
States be, and is hereby authorized to
award medal of honor to Chief Gun
ner Robert E. Cox, U S. NJ, in recog-
milton of the extraordinary heroism he
displayed on the occasion of the acci-
dent which occurred in the after tur-
ret Of the U. S. S. Missouri April 13,
1904"
And so, seventeen years almost to q
day since Cox performed his heroic
deed, his country proved to him that
republics are not always ungrateful.
Theodore Roosevelt, jr., as Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, was present to
see the man his father recommended
for a decoration finally receive it.
Secretary of the Navy DENLY was
present also, as we'll as representa-
tives from the Senate and House Naval
committees. Rear Admiral W. S.
Cowles, who commanded the Missouri
when the accident took place, was one
of the first to congratulate Cox after
the medal was .warded.
And. last but not least, Monssen and
Schepke, the two who ventured into
the turning powded magazine with
Cox on that eventful day so long ago.
were there, two smart looking lieuten-
ants. Cox himself was no more pleased
at receiving the most highly priced
decoration within the country's gift
than Monssen and Schepke.