Allan Barkhurst Roby Rear Admiral, United States Navy |
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| Serving
as part of Destroyer Division 96 (DESDIV 96) within Destroyer Squadron
48 (DESRON 48), KIDD functioned in the many roles demanded of the U.S.
Navy's destroyers: anti-submarine picket duty, picking up downed pilots,
shore bombardment, and anti-aircraft platform.
She provided escort for the carrier task force which launched air raids on Wake Island in October of 1943 and then again, in November, for the carriers ESSEX (CV-9), BUNKER HILL (CV-17), and INDEPENDENCE (CV-22) in strikes against Rabaul and Bougainville. During the attack on Rabaul, KIDD stopped to pick up the crew of a downed plane from the ESSEX, falling behind the main force of the fleet, and came under attack from a group of eight Japanese dive bombers. She continued rescue operations all the while maneuvering to avoid bombs and airborne torpedoes while simultaneously engaging the enemy. Both pilots were recovered and three enemy planes were shot down, with one more kill probable and hits scored on several of the remaining aircraft. This action won her skipper at the time, CommanderAllan B. Roby, the Silver Star for gallantry. Allan B. Roby remained in the Navy following World War II, served in the Korean War, and progressed through the ranks to Read Admiral. He died on 24 December 1997 and was buried with full military honors in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. ROBY, ALLAN BARKHURST
Webmaster:
Michael Robert Patterson
Posted: 23 May 2004 Updated: 19 November 2005 |
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