James E. Kyes

Infobox Military Person
name = James Ellsworth Kyes
lived = birth date|1906|4|16 – death date and age|1943|12|23|1906|4|16
placeofbirth = Everett, Washington
placeofdeath = killed in action, North Atlantic


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1926–1943
rank = Commander
branch = United States Navy
commands = USS "Leary" (DD-158)
unit =
battles = World War I *Battle of the Atlantic
awards = Navy Cross (posthumous)

James Ellsworth Kyes, born in Everett, Washington, 16 April 1906, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1930. As commanding officer of USS "Leary" (DD-158), Commander Kyes was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for "extraordinary heroism" during action against German submarines in the North Atlantic 23 December 1943. After his ship had received three torpedo hits and was sinking, he gave the order to abandon ship. As he prepared to leave "Leary", he checked to see that none of his men remained on board and spied one whose life jacket was torn and useless. Comdr. Kyes removed his own and handed it to the sailor. He then calmly climbed over the side and was swallowed up by the waters of the cold Atlantic, gallantly sacrificing his own life to protect a member of his crew.

Namesake

In 1945, the destroyer USS "James E. Kyes" (DD-787) was named in his honor.

References