The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Augustine Tyree, Jr. (NSN: 0-72361), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. FINBACK (SS-230), on the SIXTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 18 July 1943 to 12 September 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Java Sea. Taking advantage of every favorable attack opportunity, Lieutenant Commander Tyree, on one occasion, ventured into extremely shallow waters and, in a daring surface engagement conducted on the inshore side of his target, destroyed a large armed Japanese passenger-freighter. Pressing home a series of raid sin the face of vigorous anti-submarine measures on the part of the enemy, he succeeded in sinking or damaging an important amount of hostile shipping. His expert seamanship and cool courage in the presence of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
February 1970 – November 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Vice Admiral John Augustine Tyree, Jr. (NSN: 0-72361), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from February 1970 to November 1971 while serving as Naval Inspector General, Washington, D.C. Vice Admiral Tyree’s guidance, direction, and coordination of command inspection teams resulted in management actions that greatly improved the efficiency of organizations and the support of the Fleet by the Shore Establishment. Throughout the prosecution of the project directed by the Chief of Naval Operations for the Phased Reduction of the Naval Shore Establishment, Vice Admiral Tyree provided practical, original, and essential guidance to the staff. His ability to identify and weigh the hard choices to be made resulted in recommendations that assured proper balance between the Shore Establishment and the projected forces afloat under severe funding restrictions. Through his complete familiarity with Naval District, Shore and Fleet Command interfaces, Vice Admiral Tyree significantly contributed to the realignment of the various command functions, resulting in extensive savings. His judgment, professional competence, and organizational ability were invaluable during these projects. Vice Admiral Tyree’s exemplary performance of duty in a vitally important assignment reflected great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
August 25, 1964 – April 22, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral John Augustine Tyree, Jr. (NSN: 0-72361), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 25 August 1964 to 22 April 1966 as Deputy Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Tyree has been directly responsible for the logistic support functions of the Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Under his supervision and control, many difficult problems involving maintenance and supply matters have been aggressively pursued, identified and corrected. By virtue of this type of action and by the initiation of advanced management techniques, Rear Admiral Tyree has made possible the reliable operation of large numbers of submarines from both continental bases and overseas sites on a continuing basis. In particular, he has been outstandingly successful in managing the vital Polaris submarine refit schedules, involving complex, nuclear-powered SSBNs. In carrying out all the foregoing duties, as well as the additional duty of Commander Submarine Flotilla TWO, Rear Admiral Tyree has demonstrated outstanding skill, judgment and an inspiring devotion to duty, in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Board Serial 2055 (December 26, 1969)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral John Augustine Tyree, Jr. (NSN: 0-72361), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff and subsequently as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, United States European command (HQ USEUCOM), during the period April 1966 to January 1970. While serving in these important assignments, Vice Admiral Tyree demonstrated forceful leadership and outstanding dedication in carrying out his many responsibilities. His professional competence and determined efforts were key factors in successfully relocating HQ USEUCOM from Paris, France, to Stuttgart, Germany; in providing essential guidance on innumerable projects and studies for USEUCOM in support of assigned missions; and in maintaining a high degree of liaison between staff and component echelons, which has greatly enhanced understanding of command policies vital to the Unified Command and of great significance to the United States. Throughout his tour of duty, Vice Admiral Tyree exhibited a unique ability to produce exceptional results in all tasks despite difficult conditions, including complex political and military interrelationships. His astute judgment, personal leadership, resolute determination, and unswerving loyalty, and unusually keen understanding of political, economic, and military factors, directly furthered the security interests of the United States, significantly enhanced the military posture of the European Command, and produced results which reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Finback (SS-230)Action Date:
May 12 – June 26, 1943
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 40 (September 9, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Augustine Tyree, Jr. (NSN: 0-72361), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. FINBACK (SS-230), on the FIFTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 12 May 1943 to 26 June 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Palau Islands. Through his aggressive actions while on patrol in the Pacific War Area, Lieutenant Commander Tyree succeeded in dealing crippling blows to Japanese shipping. His submarine sank 23,000 tons and damaged 20,000 tons of hostile shipping. Through his experience and sound judgment Lieutenant Commander Tyree brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Finback (SS-230)Action Date:
1943
Board Awards: Serial 36 (July 8, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander John Augustine Tyree, Jr. (NSN: 0-72361), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. FINBACK (SS-230), during an aggressive and successful submarine war patrol in enemy controlled waters during World War II. Taking full advantage of every favorable attack opportunity, Lieutenant Commander Tyree, with courageous skill and efficiency, succeeded in sinking an important amount of Japanese shipping. Despite vigorous anti-submarine measures on the part of the enemy, he managed to bring his ship through an extremely hazardous period without disabling damage. His superb seamanship and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.