James H. Roche Papers

James Henry Roche was born in Chicago on February 4, 1915. He attended Hyde Park High School, Wright Junior College, and Central YMCA College. In 1937, he married Irene Margaret Gronewold, also a Chicago native. Roche enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was later awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during World War II. After the war, he continued to work for the U.S. Navy as a civilian Supervisor of Shipping in Chicago.

When Roche applied to be appointed to the position of Industrial Specialist with the U.S. Navy in 1952, the Regional Loyalty Board of the Civil Service Commission questioned his suitability for employment. The reason given was that Roche and his wife had attended a series of meetings with the Chicago Chapter of the American League of Peace and Democracy between January and May 1939. In 1951, this group was designated a “Communist Organization” by the United States Attorney General. During this time period, one’s suitability for federal employment followed the guidelines established by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) for disloyalty and subversive activities on the part of private citizens, public employees and organizations. In his response to the Board, Roche stated that he and his wife thought the American League of Peace and Democracy was a social group and attended meetings for a time as a way meet other young couples. He was declared loyal and eligible for employment on March 17, 1952. The FBI investigation into his background, however, began in 1950.

He died in 1992.