The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 29 March 1944 to 20 April 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific Area. Persistently searching the hazardous and confined waters of his assigned sector, Commander Dealey operated with determined aggressiveness throughout a prolonged and arduous mission, during which he repeatedly closed a fortified enemy atoll to short range for visual and photographic reconnaissance, thereby aiding the subsequent planning and execution of vigorous aerial strikes against hostile positions. Under his daring leadership, the Harder effected the rescue of a friendly pilot from a rubber raft marooned off a Japanese-held island despite harassing fire from hostile snipers and heavy aerial bombardment, sank an attacking enemy warship with a powerful salvo fired at close range and attacked and destroyed a freighter, probably sinking one of the freighter’s escort vessels. Consistently daring in his conduct of forays against the Japanese, Commander Dealey placed the Harder within two thousand yards of a fiercely defended island on the morning of 20 April to deliver a smashing bombardment and inflict severe damage upon a vital enemy airstrip. By his outstanding seamanship, tenacious determination and courage in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Dealey contributed materially to the weakening of Japanese strength in this area and his valiant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant ship’s company and the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Medal of Honor
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harder (SS-257)Action Date:
August 24 – October 8, 1943
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 44 (November 24, 1943)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 Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine during the period 24 August 1943 to 8 October 1943, in action against enemy forces near Honshu, Japan. Although operating in dangerously shallow water and in the presence of formidable concentrations of anti-submarine vessels, Commander Dealey, with superb skill and fearless persistence, pressed home a series of vigorous attacks which resulted in the sinking of an important amount of hostile shipping and the damaging of a Japanese trawler. His expert seamanship and cool courage in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harder (SS-257)Action Date:
May 26 – July 3, 1944
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, 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 (SS-257) during her Fifth War Patrol in Japanese-controlled waters. Floodlighted by a bright moon and disclosed to an enemy destroyer escort which bore down with intent to attack, Commander 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 nine minutes after sighting another destroyer, had sent the enemy down tail first with a hit directly amidships. Evading detection, he penetrated the confined waters off Tawi Tawi with the Japanese Fleet base six miles away and scored death blows on two 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 three 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 five vital Japanese destroyers sunk in five short-range torpedo attacks attests the valiant fighting spirit of Commander Dealey and his indomitable command.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harder (SS-257)Action Date:
June 6 – 10, 1944
Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 6 (July 9, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in the Southwest Pacific Area during the period 6 to 10 June 1944. While Commanding Officer of the submarine U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257) on the Fifth War Patrol of that vessel in enemy patrolled waters, Commander Dealey adeptly and daringly maneuvered his ship into firing position, and under heavy enemy pressure, in four aggressive close range torpedo attacks, sank five enemy destroyers. In these attacks outstanding professional skill and competence were displayed in obtaining eight hits from the thirteen torpedoes fired. With great adeptness, he then maneuvered his ship subsequent to these attacks so as to prevent serious damage to his ship by anti-submarine measures.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harder (SS-257)Action Date:
June 7 – July 7, 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 Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 7 June 1943 to 7 July 1943, in action against enemy forces near Honshu, Japan. Skillfully maneuvering his ship into striking position, Commander Dealey succeeded in sinking over 15,000 tons and damaging over 27,000 tons of enemy shipping. His cool courage, aggressive leadership, and gallant devotion to duty reflect great credit upon his command and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harder (SS-257)Action Date:
October 30 – November 3, 1943
Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 0573 (February 18, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 30 October 1943 to 3 November 1943, in action against enemy Japanese-controlled waters of the Mariana Islands, Pacific War Area. Despite violent hostile anti-submarine measures, Commander Dealey pressed home his attacks against enemy surface vessels with brilliant tactical skill and fearless tenacity and succeeded in sinking an important amount of Japanese shipping. His superb leadership and calm courage in the face of grave danger and the gallant conduct of his intrepid command were an inspiration to the entire Submarine Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harder (SS-257)Action Date:
August 5 – 24, 1944
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 380 (October 1948)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for gallantry in action in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the SIXTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 5 August 1944 to 24 August 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific Area. By his outstanding seamanship, tenacious determination and courage in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Dealey contributed materially to the weakening of Japanese strength in this area and his valiant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant ship’s company and the United States Naval Service.