Eugene S. Sarsfield

Who was Eugene S. Sarsfield?

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, New York, and Hannibal before receiving submarine instruction in 1929 and torpedo training in 1930. During the next four years, he served successively in Greer, Argonne, and Constitution.

Following duty with the 3d Naval District, he joined Badger 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 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 on 8 December 1941, he was detached on 3 October to supervise the outfitting of Maddox 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.