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Samuel David Dealey

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Samuel David Dealey
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1930 - 1944
RankCommander
CommandsUSS S-20 (SS-125)'
USS Harder (SS-257)
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsMedal of Honor
Navy Cross (4)
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star
Purple Heart

Samuel David Dealey (September 13, 1906 – August 24, 1944) was a United States Navy submarine commanding officer during World War II. He was among the most decorated naval officers of the war, receiving six awards for valor including the Medal of Honor for his actions aboard the USS Harder (SS-257) during its fifth war patrol.

Biography

Samuel Dealey was born on September 13, 1906 in Dallas, Texas, where he attended Oak Cliff High School. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1930.

Dealey had duty on the battleship USS Nevada (BB-36) before training as a submarine sailor. In command of USS S-20 (SS-125) at the outbreak of World War II, he assumed command of USS Harder (SS-257) upon her commissioning on December 2, 1942. Commander Dealey guided his submarine deep into enemy waters, wreaking destruction on Japanese shipping.

On Harder's fifth war patrol, Commander Dealey pressed home a series of bold and daring attacks, both surfaced and submerged, which sank three enemy destroyers and damaged two others. For his exceptional gallantry in these actions, Commander Dealey received the Medal of Honor.

He was lost with the Harder and all her hands during her sixth war patrol, when she was sunk August 24, 1944 by a depth charge attack off Luzon, Philippines.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: September 13, 1906, Dallas, Tex. Appointed from: Texas. Other Navy awards: Navy Cross with 3 Gold Stars, Silver Star Medal.

Citation:

A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Harder during her 5th War Patrol in Japanese-controlled waters. Floodlit by a bright moon and disclosed to an enemy destroyer escort which bore down with intent to attack, Comdr. Dealey quickly dived to periscope depth and waited for the pursuer to close range, then opened fire, sending the target and all aboard down in flames with his third torpedo. Plunging deep to avoid fierce depth charges, he again surfaced and, within 9 minutes after sighting another destroyer, had sent the enemy down tail first with a hit directly amidship. Evading detection, he penetrated the confined waters off Tawi Tawi with the Japanese Fleet base 6 miles away and scored death blows on 2 patrolling destroyers in quick succession. With his ship heeled over by concussion from the first exploding target and the second vessel nose-diving in a blinding detonation, he cleared the area at high speed. Sighted by a large hostile fleet force on the following day, he swung his bow toward the lead destroyer for another "down-the-throat" shot, fired 3 bow tubes and promptly crash-dived to be terrifically rocked seconds later by the exploding ship as the Harder passed beneath. This remarkable record of 5 vital Japanese destroyers sunk in 5 short-range torpedo attacks attests the valiant fighting spirit of Comdr. Dealey and his indomitable command.

Decorations and awards

In addition to his Medal of Honor, his other awards include the Navy Cross with three gold stars, the Army's Distinguished Service Cross (which was presented by General Douglas MacArthur), the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart.[1] Under his command, Harder was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (US) for its performance in combat.

Namesakes

In 1953, USS Dealey (DE-1006) was named in his honor; she was the lead ship of her class of destroyer escort.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Samuel David Dealey", Find-A-Grave.

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
  • "Dealey". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of the Navy.
  • "Samuel David Dealey". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2007-11-14.

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