|
|
| PERSONALIA |
| |
| Name: |
Antrim, Richard Nott |
| Date of birth: | December 17th, 1907 (Peru, Indiana)
|
| Date of death: |
March 8th, 1969 (Mountain Home, Arkansas)
|
| Buried on: |
Arlington National Cemetery |
| Nationality: |
American |
|
BIOGRAPHY:
Richard Nott Antrim was Executive Officer aboard the USS Pope which was sunk by the Japanese during the Battle of the Java Sea. As their senior officer he organized the 150 crewmembers that survived the sinking. When they were finally rescued by a Japanese destroyer one week after the sinking they were led into captivity.
See citation.
Lies buried at Arlington, Grave N.35-2613.
|
| |
|
|
 |
MEDAL OF HONOR - NAVY/MARINE CORPS (MOH)
|
|
Rank:
|
Lieutenant
|
|
Unit:
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Awarded on:
|
January 30th, 1947
|
|
Action:
|
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, April 1942. Entered service at: Indiana. Born: 17 December 1907, Peru, Ind.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while interned as a prisoner of war of the enemy Japanese in the city of Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, in April 1942. Acting instantly on behalf of a naval officer who was subjected to a vicious clubbing by a frenzied Japanese guard venting his insane wrath upon the helpless prisoner, Comdr. (then Lt.) Antrim boldly intervened, attempting to quiet the guard and finally persuading him to discuss the charges against the officer. With the entire Japanese force assembled and making extraordinary preparations for the threatened beating, and with the tension heightened by 2,700 Allied prisoners rapidly closing in, Comdr. Antrim courageously appealed to the fanatic enemy, risking his own life in a desperate effort to mitigate the punishment. When the other had been beaten unconscious by 15 blows of a hawser and was repeatedly kicked by 3 soldiers to a point beyond which he could not survive, Comdr. Antrim gallantly stepped forward and indicated to the perplexed guards that he would take the remainder of the punishment, throwing the Japanese completely off balance in their amazement and eliciting a roar of acclaim from the suddenly inspired Allied prisoners. By his fearless leadership and valiant concern for the welfare of another, he not only saved the life of a fellow officer and stunned the Japanese into sparing his own life but also brought about a new respect for American officers and men and a great improvement in camp living conditions. His heroic conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon Comdr. Antrim and the U.S. Naval Service.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
 |
BRONZEN KRUIS (BK)
|
|
Rank:
|
Lieutenant
|
|
Unit:
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Awarded on:
|
October 8th, 1942
|
|
Action:
|
With "Eervolle Vermelding" that were later withdrawn and replaced by the "Bronzen Leeuw".
|
|
Details:
|
Royal Decree No. 6. date October 8th 1942.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
EERVOLLE VERMELDING (EV)
|
|
Rank:
|
Lieutenant
|
|
Unit:
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Awarded on:
|
October 8th, 1942
|
|
Action:
|
With "Bronzen Kruis" that were later withdrawn and replaced by the "Bronzen Leeuw".
|
|
Details:
|
Royal Decree No. 6. date October 8th 1942.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
BRONZEN LEEUW (BL)
|
|
Rank:
|
Luitenant (Lieutenant)
|
|
Unit:
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Awarded on:
|
October 8th, 1942
|
|
Details:
|
The Bronze Cross with honourable mention was later withdrawn and replaced with a Bronze Lion.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
NAVY CROSS
|
|
Rank:
|
Luitenant (Lieutenant)
|
|
Unit:
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Action:
|
When the Second World War broke out Richard Nott Antrim was serving as Executive Officer aboard USS Pope. USS Pope delivered close-range attacks that helped to delay the Japanese landings at Balikpapan. During this action, Lieutenant Richard Nott Antrim selected targets for his guns and torpedoes, placing his shots accurately in the middle of a large Japanese convoy. After the Battle of Badoeng Strait Richard Nott Antrim received the Navy Cross for this service.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
BRONZE STAR (BS)
|
|
Rank:
|
Luitenant (Lieutenant)
|
|
Unit:
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Awarded on:
|
January 30th, 1947
|
|
Action:
|
When the Japanese forced Richard Nott Antrim to take charge of a labor party that was dugging slit trenches for protection against air attacks, he carefully rearranged the construction work plans approved by the Japanese and gained their approval. Under the eyes of their captors, the POW's dug the slit trenches in the pattern of a giant US which clearly identified the occupants of the trenches as Americans. This action possibly saved hundreds of POW's from bombings by Allied planes. Richard Nott Antrim received the Bronze Star for his actions.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
)