Adolphus Staton (August 28, 1879 – June 4, 1964) was born in

Tarboro, North Carolina Tarboro is a town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 10,721. It is the county seat of Edgecombe County. Th ...

, and died in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He graduated from the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy. The Naval Academy ...

in 1902. He received the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914. Staton was awarded the

Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is eq ...

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

for his actions when his ship, the Mount Vernon, was torpedoed. He served in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, and retired from the military in 1947. He worked in Naval Intelligence and attended the

Naval War College The Naval War College (NWC or NAVWARCOL) is the staff college and "Home of Thought" for the United States Navy at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associ ...

and Army War College in addition to earning a law degree from George Washington University Law School. He is buried at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Organization: U.S. Navy Born:28 August 1879, Tarboro, N.C. Accredited to: North Carolina Place/Date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 22 April 1914 Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914; was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.

Gallery

File:Officers of USS Chicago ca. 1903 (NH 104851).jpg, Staton as a midshipman, standing third from the right in the back row in this photograph of the officers of the

protected cruiser Protected cruisers, a type of naval cruiser of the late-19th century, gained their description because an armoured deck offered protection for vital machine-spaces from fragments caused by shells exploding above them. Protected cruisers re ...

, ca. 1903.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Staton, Adolphus Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) 1879 births 1964 deaths Burials at Arlington National Cemetery United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy admirals United States Navy World War II admirals Virginia Military Institute alumni People from Tarboro, North Carolina Battle of Veracruz (1914) recipients of the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation

Gallery

See also

References

External links