NCDUs Sperry, Edwin

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Sperry
  • FORENAME
Edwin
  • UNIT
U.S.N.R. NCDU (attached USS Cherokee)
  • RANK
Boatswains Mate Second Class
  • NUMBER
  • AWARD
Navy Cross
  • PLACE
North Africa 1942
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Brooklyn, New York
born 20.9.1913 Hartford, New Britain, Connecticut
01.02.1932 entered service U.S. Navy
01.01.1936 discharged U.S. Navy
employed by Hudson Motor Freight Service, 601 West 29th Street, New York City, New York
resided 448 West 19th Street, New York City, New York (draft card)
wife Madelyn Sperry
16.10.1940 draft card New York City, New York
01.06.1941 entered service
31.10.1953 discharged (Chief Warrant Officer)
1982 resided Sebastian area, Florida
died 1.2.1986 Sebastian, Florida (Aged 72)
 

CITATION:

Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Edwin Sperry, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty as member of a demolition party attached to the Fleet Tug U.S.S. CHEROKEE (AT-66), 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 in order to land raiders near a strategic airport, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Sperry 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, as guns from the French fort opened fire. Countering the enemy’s attack until out of range, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Sperry and the other members of his party, in spite of the enormous breakers which battered their boat, brought her back to safety. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-21557/
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