Quick Facts
Biography
Severin Louis Rombach (November 26, 1914 – June 4, 1942) was an American naval aviator who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for service during World War II.
Early life and career
Rombach was born on November 26, 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Ohio University, where he earned a B.A. in commerce. While a student at Ohio, he joined the Sigma Pi Fraternity. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve at Grosse Ile, Michigan on May 5, 1939. Rombach was appointed aviation cadet on September 21, 1939, and was designated naval aviator on May 10, 1940. On June 12, 1940 he was promoted to ensign, and shortly thereafter he was assigned to USS Enterprise (CV-6) for duty flying with Torpedo Squadron 6. Rombach was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on May 28, 1942.
Navy Cross
Rombach was reported missing in action on June 4, 1942, after his plane had been hit in the Battle of Midway. Lieutenant (junior grade) Rombach was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his participation in:
- ". . . a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese invasion fleet, ... Rombach pressed home his attack with relentless determination, in the face of a terrific barrage of antiaircraft fire."
Namesake
The US Navy named the destroyer escort USS Rombach (DE-364) in Rombach's honor. The ship was laid down on March 20, 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corporation in Orange, Texas. USS Rombach was launched on June 6, 1944, sponsored by Rombach's widow, and was commissioned on September 20, 1944, Lieutenant Commander Calvert Burke Gill in command.