Harris Darche was born in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and spent nearly his entire life in that small town. He attended Saint Viator College and Seminary in Bourbonnais, where he worked at the First National Bank during his vacations, and where he received his B.A. and then his M.A. degree. Upon graduation he was ordained a Catholic Priest in Chicago, Illinois, on June 1, 1912. . Before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1917, he was curate at the Notre Dame Church in Chicago. While serving as a Chaplain to Marines in World War I, through an error he was reported killed in action and his premature obituary was published. Before his release from active duty on October 15, 1920, he served aboard the U.S.S. Kansas. After the war he was appointed pastor at Bradley Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, Chicago, Illinois, where he was a popular and successful Catholic Youth Organization baseball coach.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
6th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 1 – 14, 1918
Headquarters, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 40 (1918)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) Harris Anthony Darche, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Darche distinguished himself by gallantry in action while attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. In operations against the enemy from 1 to 14 June 1918, he rendered service difficult to measure. His efforts in searching for and burying the dead, in giving cheer and spiritual comfort to the fighting troops, in handling working parties and in aiding surgeons were tireless and fruitful of fine results. His post, when not at the front, was under heavy shell fire daily and he performed the last rites of the church under enemy fire. His undaunted and cheerful spirit were a daily boon to the wounded and fatigued.
(First Citation) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
6th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 19, 1918
Headquarters, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 64 (1919)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) Harris Anthony Darche, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Darche distinguished himself by gallantry in action while attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action against the enemy at Vierzy, France, 19 July 1918.
(Second Citation) -
Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
6th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 1 – 14, 1918
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) Harris Anthony Darche, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in rendering services difficult to measure in the operations against the enemy from June 1 to 14 June 1918, when his efforts in searching for and burying the dead, in giving cheer and spiritual comfort to the fighting troops, in handling working parties and in aiding the surgeons were tireless; and he performed the last rites of the church under fire.