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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 41627:  Machinist Charles C. Roberts, USN

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Lieutenant Junior Grade Charles C. Roberts, USN, (1882-1957)

Charles Church Roberts was born on 6 March 1882 in Newton, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Illinois in about 1904. On 8 September 1910, while serving on board USS North Dakota as a Machinist's Mate First Class, he exhibited "heroism in the line of his profession" during a fire on board the ship. For his action on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1917, during World War I, Roberts was appointed to the warrant rank of Machinist and served on board USS Santee. He was temporarily promoted to the commissioned rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in March 1918 and received orders to the destroyer Manley and then to USS Melville. In November 1919 he was temporarily assigned to the destroyer Reid, then fitting out at Squantum, Massachusetts and later transferred to USS Fox. He resigned his commission in June 1921. Charles C. Roberts died on 8 March 1957 and is buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Millis, Massachusetts.

This page features all the images we have concerning Charles C. Roberts.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 105428-B

Machinist Charles Church Roberts, USN


On board USS Santee at Devonport, England, 20 February 1918.
Cropped from Photo # NH 105428.
Charles C. Roberts had been awarded the Medal of Honor (whose ribbon he wears in this photograph) for "heroism in the line of his profession" during a fire on board USS North Dakota (Battleship # 29) on 8 September 1910. He was a Machinist's Mate First Class at that time.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 650 x 675 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41627-A

Machinist Charles Church Roberts, USN


On board USS Santee, circa late 1917 or early 1918.
He is wearing civilian clothing and a British cap as part of Santee's disguise as an anti-submarine "decoy ship".
Cropped from Photo # NH 41627.
Charles Church Roberts had been awarded the Medal of Honor for "heroism in the line of his profession" during a fire on board USS North Dakota (Battleship # 29) on 8 September 1910. He was a Machinist's Mate First Class at that time.

Courtesy Captain David C. Hanrahan, USN, November 1929.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105428

USS Santee
(1917-1918)

Ship's officers in U.S. Navy uniforms, with mascot dogs. Photographed on board Santee at Devonport dry dock, England, 20 February 1918.
Seated in front are (left to right):
Lieutenant John R. Peterson, Jr.;
Commander David C. Hanrahan, Commanding Officer;
and Lieutenant Robert E.P. Elmer.
Standing are (left to right):
Acting Pay Clerk John P. Killeen;
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Arthur D. Warwick;
Assistant Surgeon Thomas L. Sutton, Medical Officer;
Lieutenant James P. Compton;
and Machinist Charles C. Roberts, Engineer Officer.
Printed on postcard stock. See Photo # NH 105428-A for a reproduction of the reverse of the original postcard.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 460 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105428-A

USS Santee
(1917-1918)

Reverse of a postcard photograph of Santee's officers at Devonport, England, 20 February 1918.
The officers, named or otherwise identified in this view, are:
Lieutenant John R. Peterson, Jr.r;
Commander David C. Hanrahan, Commanding Officer;
Lieutenant Robert E.P. Elmer;
Acting Pay Clerk John P. Killeen;
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Arthur D. Warwick;
Assistant Surgeon Thomas L. Sutton;
Lieutenant James P. Compton;
and Machinist Charles C. Roberts.
See Photo # NH 105428 for the photo on the postcard's front.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 490 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41627

USS Santee
(1917-1918)

Ship's officers, wearing civilian clothing as part of Santee's disguise as an anti-submarine "decoy ship", circa late 1917 or early 1918.
Seated in front are (left to right):
Lieutenant John R. Peterson, Jr., Executive Officer and Navigator;
Commander David C. Hanrahan, Commanding Officer;
and Lieutenant Robert E.P. Elmer, Gunnery Watch.
Standing are (left to right):
Acting Pay Clerk John P. Killeen;
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Arthur D. Warwick, First Lieutenant of Watch;
Assistant Surgeon Thomas L. Sutton, Medical Officer;
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) James P. Compton, Torpedo Watch;
and Machinist Charles C. Roberts, Engineer Officer.

Courtesy Captain David C. Hanrahan, USN, November 1929.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 465 pixels

 


The following photograph probably was taken during the fire in which Charles C. Roberts performed the actions that resulted in the award of his Medal of Honor:

Photo #: NH 103077

USS North Dakota
(Battleship # 29)

View on deck, looking forward from aft, showing smoke from an oil tank explosion. The image bears a date that appears to be 8 September 1910.
Photographed by F.B. Jones.
The original image is printed on postal card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 93KB; 440 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Machinist's Mate First Class Charles Church Roberts, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 93):

"Serving on board the U.S.S. North Dakota; for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the fire on board that vessel, 8 September 1910."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 7 December 2007