Navy Federal Credit Union

Arthur Challacombe was a non-graduating member of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, Class of 1918. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corps colonel. His son also served and retired as a colonel, and earned a Silver Star during the Korean War.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    2d Marine Brigade (Nicaragua)

    Action Date:

    May 12 – 15, 1927

    Authority – USMC CommuniquŽ: 0157-1-3 (18 July 1930)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Arthur Dannell Challacombe (MCSN: 0-157), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as a member of a special mission that was organized for the purpose of executing the plan for the disarming of the troops of the Liberal party of the Republic of Nicaragua. The duty was satisfactorily accomplished between 12 May to 18 May 1927, and in the face of great difficulties in the nature of troops to the number of over two thousand being on the verge of open mutiny at the prospect of delivering their arms, open threats against his life, and having to safeguard a large sum of government money in his safekeeping. By the successful accomplishment of his mission, Captain Challacombe did much to lessen the severity of the banditry then rife in the country.