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Steven Loomis (SaigonShipyard), IC3
to remember
Abercrombie., Laurence Allen, RADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Lawrence, MA
Last Address Bethesda, MD
Date of Passing May 03, 1973
Location of Interment Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery - Barnesvile, Maryland
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
TBD ???
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Drayton (DD-366)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Laurence Allen Abercrombie (NSN: 0-56922), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. DRAYTON (DD-366), during operations in the Far East on 24 December 1941 Commander Abercrombie skillfully directed his vessel in an engagement which resulted in the destruction of an enemy vessel. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Commander Southern Pacific Forces: Serial 909 (March 20, 1943 Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Laurence Allen Abercrombie (NSN: 0-56922), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as the Commanding Officer of Destroyer Division NINE, which engaged Japanese naval forces in a daring daylight raid on the enemy patrol line south of the Gilbert Islands on 22 October 1942. Commander Abercrombie skillfully maneuvered his division, exercising such brilliant tactical judgment that heavy damage was inflicted upon the enemy. Two enemy vessels were sunk by the gunfire of his force, and repeated air attacks were repelled without damage to the ships or crews under his command. Through his leadership this bold mission was brought to a highly successful conclusion. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 316 (July 1943)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Laurence Allen Abercrombie (NSN: 0-56922), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. DRAYTON (DD-366), as Screen Commander of a Task Force unit during action against Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands area on 17 February 1943. By the accurate and timely warning given by the ships under his command, Commander Abercrombie enabled the task unit commander to dispose his transports and destroyers for the most effective action against hostile Torpedo Planes. Despite the difficulties and hazards of a night engagement during which five Japanese planes were destroyed, Commander Abercrombie brought his forces through without casualty or damage. Commander Abercrombie's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
LAURENCE ALLEN ABERCROMBIE, '18 Captain, USN Navy Cross with Two Gold Stars
Captain Abercrombie has the distinction of being the first surface ship commander in World War II to be awarded the Navy Cross three times, and to be credited with the first verified combat kill of an enemy submarine.
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy in 1920, Captain Abercrombie was commanding the USS Drayton, serving in the destroyer screen of the Lexington task force near Midway, when the Japanese first struck. Back in Pearl Harbor on December 1, Abercrombie was ordered to convoy a job lot of four ships towards Christmas Islands. About three o'clock in the afternoon of December 24 contact was made with a submarine running submerged towards Pearl Harbor, so close to the Drayton that the skipper maneuvered in opposite circle to pick it up. As successive depth charges forced the damaged submarine to the surface at a 70 degree angle, the Drayton's guns stitched a row of holes along the fifty feet of visible bow. The enemy slid back in a boiling circle of oil, receiving the death blow from another series of depth charges that set off a violent explosion. Discounting the two-man submersibles destroyed at Pearl Harbor, this was the first verified kill of the war according to the meticulous standards of the Navy.
For this victory, the first good news of that gloomy Christmas season, Captain Abercrombie was awarded the Navy Cross.
In February, 1943 he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism and outstanding courage as Screen Commander of a Task Unit in two actions against Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands area.
His second Gold Star was awarded for heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of a Destroyer Division in action against Japanese naval forces near the Gilbert Islands.
"Boldly striking at the enemy in a daring daylight raid on a hostile patrol line, Commander Abercrombie expertly maneuvered his division to engage Japanese surface units with the result that two enemy vessels were sunk by the accurate gunfire of his force, and repeated Japanese aerial attacks were repelled without damage to ships or personnel of his command. Through the high combat efficiency of the forces under his inspiring leadership, heavy damage was inflicted on the enemy and an important and hazardous mission was brought to a successful conclusion."
In August 1943 Captain Abercrombie was ordered to the Navy Department to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Here he served in the Office of Naval Intelligence until April 1944. In that month he was ordered to duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Captain Abercrombie was ordered, in May 1945, to take command of the heavy cruiser Chester, serving in the Pacific following the Japanese surrender. In March 1946 he was ordered back to Washington as Director of the Naval Reserve in the Potomac River Naval Command. Captain Abercrombie is now Chief of Naval Reserve Plans and Policies.
