Quick Facts
Biography
Roy Joseph Marchand (17 September 1920, in Crandall, Mississippi – 1 March 1942, near Christmas Island) was a United States Navy recipient of the Silver Star.
Navy career
Marchand enlisted in the US Navy on 18 October 1939. After duty in USS San Francisco (CA-38), USS Boise (CL-47) and USS Henderson (DD-785), he was transferred to USS Pecos (AO-6) on 2 May 1940.
Awarded Silver Star
On 1 March 1942, enemy planes from the Japanese aircraft carrier Sōryū attacked and sank Pecos near Christmas Island. Assigned to an anti-aircraft gun, Marchand remained at his post until bomb fragments put the gun out of commission; then he acted as messenger for the commanding officer until fatally wounded. Fireman First Class Marchand was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his courageous dedication to duty.
Namesake
USS Marchand (DE-249) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down by Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Texas, on 30 December 1942 and launched on 30 March 1943. It was sponsored by his mother, Mrs. Charles D. Marchand and commissioned on 8 September 1943, with Lt. Comdr. G. F. Lynch, USCG, in command.