Allan Barkhurst Roby – Rear Admiral, United States Navy

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

• RADM   US NAVY
• WORLD WAR II, KOREA
• DATE OF BIRTH: 12/09/1907
• DATE OF DEATH: 12/24/1997
• BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 7769
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard