Sarsfield Playground

E. 38 St., Ave. M, Flatlands Ave.

Brooklyn, 11234

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

Commander Eugene S. Sarsfield (1902-43) served his country with distinction during World War II and went down with his ship, the U.S.S. Maddox, during the amphibious invasion of Sicily. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he received his high school degree from Cathedral College in 1921. Upon his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1926, Ensign Sarsfield served on several ships. He later was assigned to New York to instruct naval reservists. He returned to sea duty in 1940 and took command of the U.S.S. Kearny, which was torpedoed off the coast of Iceland in 1941.