Medal of Honor: H. C. Drexler & G. R. Cholister

HENRY CLAY DREXLER

Ensign, US Navy; USS Trenton (CL 11)

Born: 7 August 1901, Braddock, Pennsylvania
Died: 20 October 1924, at sea off Norfolk, Virginia

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, 2 charges of powder ignited. Twenty men were trapped in the twin mount. Four died almost immediately and 10 later from burns and inhalation of flame and gases. The 6 others were severely injured. Ens. Drexler, without thought of his own safety, on seeing that the charge of powder for 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.

Note: USS Drexler (DD 741) was named in his honour.


GEORGE ROBERT CHOLISTER

Boatswain's Mate First Class, US Navy; USS Trenton (CL 11)

Born: 18 December 1898, Camden, New Jersey
Died: 21 October 1924, at sea off Norfolk, Virginia

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, 2 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 6 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.


Note: Both medals were awarded by Special Act of Congress, 3 February 1933.