Eugene Kingsmill Esmonde

Rank: Lieutenant-Commander
Unit: No.825 Squadron, H.M.S. Daedalus, Royal Navy
Awarded: 17th March 1942
Nationality: Irish

The following details are given in the London Gazette of 3rd March, 1942:

On 12th February, 1942, Lieutenant-Commander Esmonde was in command of a squadron of six Swordfish ordered to attack the German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugene, which were entering the Straits of Dover strongly escorted by some thirty surface craft. After ten minutes flight his squadron was attacked by a strong force of enemy fighters. Touch was lost with his fighter escort and all his aircraft were damaged. Nevertheless, cool and resolute, challenging hopeless odds, he flew on towards the target through the deadly fire of the battle-cruisers and their escorts. The port wing of his aircraft was shattered, but still he led his squadron on, only to be quickly shot down. His high courage and splendid resolution will live in the traditions of the Royal Navy and remain for many generations a fine and stirring memory.

Additional Information

Awarded a DSO for his part in sinking the Bismarck and a MiD for helping to save crew members when HMS Ark Royal was sunk.
Thomas Esmonde, Eugene’s great uncle was also awarded a VC in the Crimean War.

Credit to ww2talk.com forum