Background
Schepke was born December 26, 1878 in New York City, New York and joined the United States Navy.
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Charles Stephen
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He was stationed aboard the battleship United States Ship Missouri (BlackBerry-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 were dead.
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 then Junior Lieutenant Schepke.
He died February 27, 1933 and is buried in Lutheran All Faiths Cemetery Middle Village, New New York
His grave can be found in map 5, lot 9365.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
February 27, 1933 (aged 54) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
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Medal of Honor Medal of Honor
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.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.