The sword has a 30 inch blade with scroll and U.S. Navy themed etching along with "PRESENTED TO ROBERT SEMPLE, GUNNER U.S.N., BY THE CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS OF THE U.S.S. TEXAS. 1915." on the obverse and the maker's mark "I./BERNSTEIN/BROOKLYN/N.Y." on the reverse. The gilt brass hilt has oak leaf and acorn and "USN" decoration and a wire and white shagreen wrapped grip along with a sword knot. The black leather scabbard has brass fittings with classic navy and oak leaf and acorn themed patterns "RS" inscribed on the obverse of the upper band and "Presented to/Robert Semple/Gunner U.S.N./by the Chief Petty Officers/of the U.S.S. Texas/-1915.-" inscribed on the reverse. Robert Semple (1887-1943) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1906. He was promoted to the rank of chief gunner. He received the Medal of Honor for his meritorious service under fire as the chief turret captain on the dreadnought battleship USS Florida (BB-30) during the U.S. occupation of Veracruz in 1914 during the Mexican Revolution. The Florida was then the largest battleship in the world and the lead ship of its class, and its crew along with that of her sister ship USS Utah and the USS Prairie landed over one thousand U.S. Marines and sailors at Veracruz on April 21, 1914, and engaged in battles with Mexican defense forces. The gunners trained their guns on the Mexican Naval Academy but withheld their fire. Captain Knapp had the other cruisers and destroyers begin the bombardment but had his own crew withhold fire because they had a man in the sick bay who would die. The Marine fell from his cot during the battle but was sedated and survived, endured two surgeries at sea, and was medically discharged more than a year later. In addition to Semple, twenty-four other men from the USS Florida crew were also awarded the Medal of Honor. The USS Texas (BB-35) was one of two New York class super dreadnought battleships and also traveled to Veracruz in 1914 and returned to the New York Navy yard for repairs at the end of the year. In December 1915, Semple was commissioned as a gunner and served on the USS Frederick. Semple also went on to receive the Navy Cross for his service in the mine fields in the North Sea during World War I on board the USS Oklahoma. He served in various capacities over the next two decades. He retired in 1937 with the rank of lieutenant but soon returned to service with the U.S. entry into World War II and died in San Diego, California, while on active duty and received a promotion to lieutenant commander the same day.

Very fine with a bright blade with distinct etching, aged patina on the hilt, great grip with minor aging, and dark patina and mild storage wear on the knot. Aside from a break above the drag, the scabbard is also very fine and has crisp inscriptions and minor age and storage related wear. Overall, this is a very attractive sword presented to Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Navy Chief Gunner Robert Semple.