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William Sitgreaves CoxAmerican military man.
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Naval Service
William Cox served as a midshipman aboard the USS Chesapeake during the War of 1812. In the battle against the British ship HMS Shannon, Cox was assigned to the gun crew on the lower deck. When his crew abandoned their post, Cox ascended to the deck to continue fighting.
Presumed Command
Captain James Lawrence was wounded, and Cox assisted in carrying him below. By this time, other officers had been severely wounded or killed, leaving Cox as the senior officer remaining on the ship, essentially in command. It is unclear whether he fully realized this responsibility.
Court-Martial
In 1814, a court-martial found Cox guilty of neglecting his duty by leaving his post in the face of the enemy. He was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Navy.
Vindication
Cox's great-grandson, Electus D. Litchfield, spent 20 years campaigning to clear his name. In 1952, Congress passed a resolution supporting Cox, and President Harry Truman pardoned him and restored his rank.
Legacy
Robert Heinlein references this story in Chapter 12 of his novel Starship Troopers as an illustration of the importance of maintaining a proper chain of command. However, in the fictionalized account presented in the book, Lieutenant Cox does not appear to be fully exonerated.
