Brother James Carroll Darby

Brother James Carroll Darby
CFA Alexian Brother
6-13-1921 ~ 1-8-2013

Brother Carroll was a son of Jules Darby (pictured below with Nonco) and Bertha Barras Darby and the sibling of  Melvin B. "Joe" Darby, Leroy Darby, and Melba Darby Braquet.  He was a gentle soul who was admired by all who knew him.

If you have any pictures or more information on Brother Carroll, please share with the Nonco Foundation.  Thank you.

Brother James Carroll Darby, a life professed member of the Congregation of Alexian Brothers for 59 years, died on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in the Alexian Brothers Health & Rehabilitation Center, Signal Mountain, Tennessee.

Brother James had lived in the Alexian Brothers communities in Wisconsin, Illinois and Tennessee. He was born on June 13, 1921, in Arnaudville, La., the son of Jules P. Darby and Bertha Barras Darby and brother of Melba, Lee Roy and Melvin "Joe" Darby, all deceased. He leaves a loving family of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

His life prior to joining the Alexian Community was fully family oriented and the French Cajun culture was deeply integrated in the day to day life. He chose to join the U.S. Navy in May of 1942 and was educated as a Navy medical - pharmacist mate and after duty time in the Pacific War Zone he was honorably discharged on Dec. 16, 1945.

He worked in the family business in Arnaudville, and then joined the Alexian Brothers on Jan. 12, 1954. He pronounced his life commitment on July 17, 1961. Thereafter he ministered in the Alexian Brothers Hospitals, the Signal Mountain Rest Home (now Alexian Village), and ended his working career after 44 years at the Community's National Offices in the role of staff secretary to the Provincial (the elected leader of the Brothers in the United States).

Brother James always was hesitant to tell others of his unique experience while serving during the Second World War in the Western Pacific. It was simply that he was on duty in the Medical Unit when Lt. John F. Kennedy arrived as a patient following his PT Boat having been struck by an enemy torpedo. Brother James did his duties and felt that it was sufficient. The follow-up was president-elect John F. Kennedy inviting "Frenchy" to the Inauguration Ceremony in Washington, DC.

The viewing will begin on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. at the St. Augustine Chapel at Alexian Village, Signal Mountain, Tenn. An evening Solemn Vigil will be held at 7 p.m. The viewing will continue overnight and end with the Solemn funeral Mass on Monday, Jan. 14, at 11:15 a.m. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in the Alexian Brother section.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist. Chattanooga, Tenn.

Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on Jan. 12, 2013
L-R - Jules Darby, father of Brother James Carroll Darby, visits over the fence with a young Nonco
Photograph donated to Foundation by: Annie Hardy Calais
Returning World War II heroes wre welcomed home in 1945 by Father Bernard and Sister Theophilus.  From left:   •Captain Marie Elbie Robin, USAF, R.N., served in hospitals in the Philippines, Japan, Wales, France and stateside.   •Sgt. Clement Bourque, U.S. Marines, served in the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific:  Iwo Jima, Saipan and Tinyan.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.   •Chief Bosun's Mate Wilbur Kidder, U.S. Navy, served on a ship in the South Pacific.   •Sgt. William Wiltz, U.S. Army was an electronic systems expert. He set up base electrical systems on bases in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas, Witchita Falls and Alexandria, Louisiana.  He was drafted in 1944.   •Chief Petty Officer James Carroll Darby, U.S. Navy, a chief pharmacist mate, served on the Navy Torpedo Boat base medical dispensary in the South Pacific.  He was on the medical  team that treated John F. Kennedy's injuuries when his PT-109 boat was destroyed,
Returning World War II heroes were welcomed home in 1945 by Father Bernard and Sister Theophilus. 

From left:
  • Captain Marie Elbie Robin, USAF, R.N., served in hospitals in the Philippines, Japan, Wales, France and stateside. She was the daughter of Michel Robin and Bernadette Arnaud Robin.
  • Sgt. Clement Bourque, U.S. Marines, served in the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific:  Iwo Jima, Saipan and Tinyan.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is the father of Eddie and Pinkie Bourque.
  • Chief Bosun's Mate Wilbur Kidder, U.S. Navy, served on a ship in the South Pacific.
  • Sgt. William Wiltz, U.S. Army was an electronic systems expert. He set up base electrical systems on bases in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas, Witchita Falls and Alexandria, Louisiana.  He was drafted in 1944. Was known as "Mayonne" to the people of Coteau Rodaire.  His only child, a son, Alvin Wiltz was a military man.  Following his military career, he earned an engineering degree and then worked for NASA.
  • Chief Petty Officer James Carroll Darby, U.S. Navy, a chief pharmacist mate, served on the Navy Torpedo Boat base medical dispensary in the South Pacific.  He was on the medical  team that treated John F. Kennedy's injuuries when his PT-109 boat was destroyed, "little knowing that J.F.K. would become President of the U. S. A." They were on Florida Island about 20 miles from Guadalcanal.  Carroll is now Brother James, a member of the Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, who take care of the sick.  He has been with them over 40 years.
FROM FATHER BERNARD'S PARISH ALBUM, courtesy of Seola Arnaud Edwards.
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