- SURNAME
Shelley
- FORENAME
Richard Graham
- UNIT
U.S.N.R. NCDU (attached USS USS Brant)
- RANK
Boatswains Mate Second Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
North Africa 1942
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Tacoma, Washington
born 27.1.1919 Tacoma, Washington
father Jesse Everett Shelley (1889-1965)
mother Edna Pearl (nee Ghaham) Shelley (1889-1973)
01.06.1940 entered service
08.10.1945 discharged
1945 resided 2216 North Warner Street, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington (draft card)
wife Shirley Isobel (nee Birchfield) Shelley (1917-1978)
2 sons, 3 daughters
Regional Sales Manager for Nalley's Fine Foods
died 8.7.1992 Kitsap County, Washington, USA (Aged 73)
Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon Section D Site 1752
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Richard Graham Shelley, 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, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Shelley and his shipmates, on the night of 9 November proceeded with grim determination toward their objective. Despite the treacherous surf, he and his comrades 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, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Shelley and the other members of his party, in spite of enormous breakers which battered their boat and washed one of the machine guns overboard, finally brought her 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.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-20910/FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3932392/richard-graham-shelley
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