NCDUs Darroch, James William

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Darroch
  • FORENAME
James William
  • UNIT
U.S.N.R. NCDU (attached USS USS Brant)
  • RANK
Lieutenant
  • NUMBER
  • AWARD
Navy Cross, Legion of Merit
  • PLACE
North Africa 1942
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Albany,California
born 4.2.1912 Kewanee,Illinois
21.11.1936 married Rose Claire (nee Weitzenkarn) Darroch (1913-2005)
retired as Captain
died 29.11.2005
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia Section 8-I Row 2 Site 1
 

CITATION:

Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant James W. Darroch, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty as member of a demolition party attached to the U.S.S. BRANT (ARS-32), during the assault on and occupation of French Morocco from 8 to 11 November 1942. Assigned the extremely dangerous task of cutting through an enemy obstruction in order that the U.S.S. DALLAS could navigate up the Sebou River, Lieutenant Darroch and his crew, on the night of 9 November proceeded with grim determination toward their objective. Despite the treacherous surf, he and his shipmates skillfully and courageously accomplished their hazardous mission of cutting the cables at the mouth of the river, just as guns from the French fort opened fire. Countering the enemy's attack until out of range, Lieutenant Darroch dauntlessly started back and, in spite of enormous breakers which battered his boat and washed one of his machine guns overboard, brought her and her courageous crew back to safety. His throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Legion of Merit : Lieutenant Commander James W. Darroch, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Salvage Officer during the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Italy from 1942 to 1944.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20337

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49225567/james-william-darroch
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