The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Gunner Robert Edward Cox, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while serving on the U.S.S. Missouri 13 April, 1904. While at target practice off Pensacola, Florida., an accident occurred in the after turret of the Missouri whereby the lives of five officers and 28 men were lost. The ship was in imminent danger of destruction by explosion, and the prompt action of Chief Gunner Cox and two Gunner’s Mates caused the fire to be brought under control, and the loss of the Missouri, together with her crew, was averted.