Charles Church Roberts

Charles Church Roberts (1882–1957) made his career in the U.S. Navy’s engineering branch. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, he entered the Navy from Illinois and served as a machinist’s mate aboard the new battleship USS North Dakota. On September 8, 1910, the ship was returning to Hampton Roads after fleet exercises when fuel oil in an engine-room storage space caught fire.

The fire filled the lower decks with smoke and threatened a magazine located above the burning area. The crew flooded the engine room and oil-storage space to control the flames, leaving the compartment and hold under several feet of water. Six sailors, including Roberts, entered the burning engine room to fight the fire and help bring out the dead. Roberts was overcome by smoke. Three crewmen died, and others were injured. The ship survived, and the crew restored enough power to return to port.

The Navy recognized Roberts and five shipmates with the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in the line of their profession. The award came in peacetime, before eligibility for the medal was limited to combat valor. Roberts continued in naval service, later receiving a machinist warrant and serving as a commissioned officer during the First World War. He died on March 8, 1957.

### Medal of Honor citation

“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.”

### Sources

- Naval History and Heritage Command, “Roberts, Charles C.,” U.S. People. - State Historical Society of North Dakota, “Fire & Engine Trouble,” USS North Dakota history and primary sources. - Congressional Medal of Honor Society, “Charles Church Roberts,” Interim 1899–1910 recipient record. - U.S. Navy, “1901–1910 Medal of Honor Recipients,” Charles Church Roberts entry.