Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
United States Merchant Marines
James Wallace Gilroy, the son of Peter Simon and Ellen Gilroy, was born in Leadville, Iowa on 19 July 1907. He was Killed-In-Action when the ship he was on was sunk during a Japanese kamikaze attack.
James, a graduate of Saint Ambrose Academy (circa 1925), married the former Irene Carney.
In January 1943, James entered the United States Merchant Marines. He received his training at Sheephead Bay and Huntington, both in New York. He began his second tour of duty on 1 September 1944 while aboard the merchant marine ship S.S. Lewis L. Dyche. He served as the ships Chief Radio Operator.
On 4 January 1945, the S.S. Lewis L. Dyche was sunk during a Japanese kamikaze attack near Mindoro Island, The Philippines. In a War Department telegram to his parents, they learned that the entire crew was lost.
James was survived by his wife Irene, his parents, and two brothers; Francis J. and John D. Gilroy.
Source of Information:
1. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 16 February 1945, page 1.
2. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 28 March 1945, page 1.
3. Davenport Democrat and Times, 21 March 1945, page 1.
4. United States Merchant Marine web site:
a. http://www.usmm.org/. Merchant Mariners killed on United States operated ships during World War II. Last name begins with "G".
b. http://www.usmm.org/sunkaz.html#anchor23709. List of United States Ships Sunk or Damaged during World War II.
5. National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/.
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