Alex M. Diachenko
Alexander Maxwell Diachenko (Ukrainian: Александер Максвелл Дяченко; March 21, 1919 – March 10, 1943) was a United States Navy sailor killed in action during World War II who received a posthumous Silver Star for his actions.
Alex M. Diachenko | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alexander Maxwell Diachenko |
| Born | March 21, 1919 Hartford, Connecticut |
| Died | March 10, 1943 (aged 23) South Atlantic Ocean |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1940–1943 |
| Rank | Watertender Second Class |
| Unit | USS Eberle (DD-430) |
| Battles/wars | World War II Battle of the Atlantic |
| Awards | Silver Star |
Biography
Alex Maxwell Diachenko was born at Hartford, Connecticut, on March 21, 1919. He is of Ukrainian ancestry. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 24, 1940.
As a watertender second class, Diachenko was serving in the destroyer USS Eberle (DD-430) in the South Atlantic Ocean when on March 10, 1943 Eberle intercepted the German blockade runner Karin.[1] Diachenko was a member of the boarding party which valiantly tried to save Karin from demolition charges set by her crew. All efforts to save Karin were to no avail, and Diachenko was killed by an exploding charge.
Awards
For his gallant sacrifice in the boarding of Karin, Diachenko was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Namesake
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Alex Diachenko (DE-690) was named for Watertender Second Class Diachenko. She was converted during construction into the high-speed transport USS Alex Diachenko (APD-123), and commissioned as such, but was soon renamed USS Diachenko (APD-123). She was in commission from 1944 to 1959, from 1961 to 1969, and from 1971, and was stricken in 1974.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.