Charles S. Schepke

Charles Stephen Schepke (December 26, 1878 – February 27, 1933) was a gunner's mate first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Charles Stephen Schepke
Born(1878-12-26)December 26, 1878
New York City, New York
DiedFebruary 27, 1933(1933-02-27) (aged 54)
Place of burial
Lutheran All Faiths Cemetery Middle Village, New York
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankLieutenant
UnitUSS Missouri (BB-11)
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Charles S. Schepke was born December 26, 1878 in New York City, New York and joined the United States Navy. He was stationed aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB-11) as a gunner's mate first class.

On April 13, 1904 the Missouri was engaging in target practice when one of the ships 12” gun “flared back”. As the breech was opened for reloading, hot gases were released into the turret, causing it to catch fire. The fire spread to a bag of propellant and from there it spread down to the ammunition handling chamber. Schepke assisted in containing the fire before it spread to other areas of the ship and in putting out the blaze. The fire was eventually contained but, before it was out, 36 of the ship's crew had been killed. For his actions Schepke received the Medal of Honor on May 26, 1904.[1][2]

He was warranted as a gunner on February 20, 1909 and was promoted to chief gunner on January 16, 1915. During World War I he received a temporary promotion to lieutenant on July 1, 1918.

In June 1921, a Brooklyn, New York judge granted alimony to Schepke's wife, Gertrude Schepke pending a separation. She was granted a $25 week stipend after she filed for divorce from Lieutenant Schepke.[3]

Schepke retired from the Navy on October 29, 1926.

Lieutenant Schepke died on February 27, 1933 and is buried in Lutheran All Faiths Cemetery in Middle Village, New York.[4] His grave can be found in map 5, lot 9365.[4]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Gunner's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 26 December 1878, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 160, 26 May 1904.

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism while serving on the U.S.S. Missouri in remaining by a burning magazine and assisting to extinguish the fire, 13 April 1904.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Interim Awards, 1901-1911; Schepke, Charles S. entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  2. "USS Missouri (BB-11), 1903-1922, Selected Views". Online Library of Selected Images: -- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --. Naval Historical Center. January 21, 1999. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  3. "Officer says wife went "Cabarreting"" (PDF). The New York Times. June 14, 1921. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  4. Don Morfe (January 10, 2004). "Charles S. Schepke". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
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