Eugene S. Sarsfield
Encyclopedia
Eugene S. Sarsfield was an officer of the United States Navy
during World War II
.
Sarsfield was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 19 April 1902 and entered the United States Naval Academy
in 1922. Upon his graduation on 3 June 1926, he was commissioned Ensign and served in Nevada
(BB-36), New York
(BB-34), and Hannibal
(AG-1) before receiving submarine
instruction in 1929 and torpedo
training in 1930. During the next four years, he served successively in Greer
(DD-145), Argonne (AP-4), and Constitution
.
Following duty with the 3d Naval District, he joined Badger
(DD-126) in July 1935, and returned to New York in September 1937. He instructed naval reservists in the 3d Naval District for two years before reporting to Kearny
(DD-432) on 10 June 1940 to serve as executive officer and navigator. He was commended by the Secretary of the Navy
, Frank Knox
, for "Leadership, personal courage and ingenuity in solving the many problems arising under adverse conditions" when Kearny was torpedoed off Iceland
on 17 October 1941.
Given command of McCormick
(DD-223) on 8 December 1941, he was detached on 3 October to supervise the outfitting of Maddox
(DD-622) and he assumed command of that destroyer at her commissioning on 3 October 1942. He was awarded the Legion of Merit
for exceptionally meritorious conduct as commanding officer of Maddox when she attacked and probably sank an enemy submarine on 6 May 1943.
While acting as an escort for an Atlantic convoy
, the destroyer made contact with the submerged enemy submarine. Lt. Comdr. Sarsfleld took prompt and effective action and, with great skill, delivered two accurate depth charge
attacks. The submarine was damaged by the first attack; and, after the second attack, it appeared briefly on the surface upside down. As a result of these attacks, which demonstrated Sarsfield's thorough training and sound decision, the submarine was probably sunk.
Reported missing on 10 July 1943 and officially presumed dead on the next day, Comdr. Sarsfield was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
and cited for extraordinary heroism as commanding officer of Maddox during the invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943. While his ship was effectively supporting the assault at Gela
, Lt. Comdr. Sarsfield, in the face of terrific aerial bombardment, maintained alert and accurate direction of gunfire until Maddox was gravely damaged by one direct hit and two near misses. He remained on board supervising the abandonment of the rapidly sinking ship and helped greatly to save the lives of 9 officers and 65 men of the 284 on board.
USS Sarsfield
(DD-837) was named in his honor.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Sarsfield was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 19 April 1902 and entered the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1922. Upon his graduation on 3 June 1926, he was commissioned Ensign and served in Nevada
USS Nevada (BB-36)
USS Nevada , the second United States Navy ship to be named after the 36th state, was the lead ship of the two Nevada-class battleships; her sister ship was...
(BB-36), New York
USS New York (BB-34)
USS New York was a United States Navy battleship, the lead ship of her class of two . She was the fifth ship to carry her name....
(BB-34), and Hannibal
USS Hannibal (AG-1)
USS Hannibal , a converted steamer, was built as Joseph Holland by J. Blumer & Company at Sunderland, England, in 1898. She was purchased by the United States Navy on 16 April 1898 and renamed Hannibal...
(AG-1) before receiving submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
instruction in 1929 and torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
training in 1930. During the next four years, he served successively in Greer
USS Greer (DD-145)
USS Greer was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy, the first ship named for Rear Admiral James A. Greer . In what became known as the "Greer Incident," she became the first U.S. Navy ship to fire on a German ship, three months before the United States officially entered World War...
(DD-145), Argonne (AP-4), and Constitution
USS Constitution
USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel...
.
Following duty with the 3d Naval District, he joined Badger
USS Badger (DD-126)
USS Badger was a in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for Commodore Oscar C. Badger.Badger was launched 24 August 1918 by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey; sponsored by Mrs. Henry F. Bryan, granddaughter of Commodore Badger; commissioned 29 May 1919,...
(DD-126) in July 1935, and returned to New York in September 1937. He instructed naval reservists in the 3d Naval District for two years before reporting to Kearny
USS Kearny (DD-432)
USS Kearny , a Gleaves-class destroyer, was a United States Navy ship named for Commodore Lawrence Kearny, who was known for his tenacity in capturing slave traders in West-Indian waters and his tireless efforts in fighting Greek pirates in the Mediterranean.-Early history:Kearny was launched 9...
(DD-432) on 10 June 1940 to serve as executive officer and navigator. He was commended by the Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
, Frank Knox
Frank Knox
-External links:...
, for "Leadership, personal courage and ingenuity in solving the many problems arising under adverse conditions" when Kearny was torpedoed off Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
on 17 October 1941.
Given command of McCormick
USS McCormick (DD-223)
USS McCormick was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Lieutenant, junior grade Alexander McCormick, Jr....
(DD-223) on 8 December 1941, he was detached on 3 October to supervise the outfitting of Maddox
USS Maddox (DD-622)
USS Maddox , a Gleaves-class destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Captain William A. T. Maddox....
(DD-622) and he assumed command of that destroyer at her commissioning on 3 October 1942. He was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
for exceptionally meritorious conduct as commanding officer of Maddox when she attacked and probably sank an enemy submarine on 6 May 1943.
While acting as an escort for an Atlantic convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
, the destroyer made contact with the submerged enemy submarine. Lt. Comdr. Sarsfleld took prompt and effective action and, with great skill, delivered two accurate depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
attacks. The submarine was damaged by the first attack; and, after the second attack, it appeared briefly on the surface upside down. As a result of these attacks, which demonstrated Sarsfield's thorough training and sound decision, the submarine was probably sunk.
Reported missing on 10 July 1943 and officially presumed dead on the next day, Comdr. Sarsfield was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
and cited for extraordinary heroism as commanding officer of Maddox during the invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943. While his ship was effectively supporting the assault at Gela
Gela
Gela is a town and comune in the province of Caltanissetta in the south of Sicily, Italy. The city is at about 84 kilometers distance from the city of Caltanissetta, on the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a larger population than the provincial capital, and ranks second in land area.Gela is an...
, Lt. Comdr. Sarsfield, in the face of terrific aerial bombardment, maintained alert and accurate direction of gunfire until Maddox was gravely damaged by one direct hit and two near misses. He remained on board supervising the abandonment of the rapidly sinking ship and helped greatly to save the lives of 9 officers and 65 men of the 284 on board.
Namesake
In 1945, the destroyerDestroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Sarsfield
USS Sarsfield (DD-837)
USS Sarsfield , a , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Eugene S. Sarsfield, an officer and commander of the . He disappeared after the sinking of his ship and was presumed dead on 11 July 1943....
(DD-837) was named in his honor.