Courts, George M.
George McCall Courts was born on 16 February 1888 in Washington, D.C. Appointed from the nation's capitol to the U.S. Naval Academy, he graduated in 1907 and reported to USS Vermont for his two-year required sea duty. Commissioned an Ensign in February 1909, he was assigned to the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, D.C. In September 1910, he received orders to USS Delaware, which was followed by staff duty with Fourth Division Commander on board USS Minnesota. He later transferred for staff duty with Third Division Commander on board USS Rhode Island. In February 1912, he was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Remaining on staff duty, Courts served with the Atlantic Fleet Commander-in-Chief Staff on board USS Florida and participated in the intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico. On 21-22 April 1914, he twice volunteered and passed in an open boat through enemy fire to pass important orders to the light cruiser Chester, which was under severe fire from the enemy. For his "distinguished conduct in battle" on this occasion, Courts was awarded the Medal of Honor. After a period of sick leave, he returned for staff duty with Atlantic Fleet Commander-in-Chief on board flagship USS Wyoming. In December 1915, he was promoted to Lieutenant. A year later, he was assigned to the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. During World War I, Courts was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant Commander in October 1917, which was followed with a temporary promotion to Commander in September 1918. In February 1919, he reported to USS Oklahoma.
Following World War I, he was reverted back to Lieutenant Commander and was assigned to the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, D.C. During his time at the Bureau, he was permanently promoted to Commander in December 1922. In June 1924, he commanded the destroyer Reid, operating in the Caribbean and European waters. In January 1926, Courts served overseas in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the U.S. Embassy's Naval Attache. In 1928, he returned to Washington D.C. and had duty at the Chief of Naval Operations office in Washington D.C. A year later, he reported on board USS Pensacola. After this tour, he began a period of instruction at Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. While attending the Naval War College, he died on 1 August 1932. George M. Courts is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
This page features all the images we have concerning George M. Courts.
