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 Eugene Bennett Fluckey, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BARB (SS-220), on the TWELFTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 8 June 1945 to 2 August 1945, in enemy controlled waters of the East China Sea. Introducing rocket and saboteur tactics into submarine warfare, Commander Fluckey braved severe enemy countermeasures including six bombing attacks by enemy aircraft, gunfire from enemy shore batteries and surface ships and extensive depth charge attacks to take his vessel into extremely shallow water and launch bold torpedo, rocket and gun attacks which resulted in the sinking of enemy shipping totaling 11,000 tons and the infliction of extreme damage to seven Japanese coastal towns. Landing a party of commandos in rubber boats on a hostile shore on one occasion, he contributed to their success in destroying a Japanese train. By his courage and inspiring leadership throughout, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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Medal of Honor
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Barb (SS-220)Action Date:
May 21 – July 9, 1944
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 75 (September 17, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Eugene Bennett Fluckey, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BARB (SS-220), on the EIGHTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 21 May 1944 to 9 July 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific War Area. Skillfully maneuvering his vessel into favorable strike position despite the hazards of adverse weather, ice floes and fog, Commander Fluckey launched torpedo attacks to sink five enemy ships totaling more than 37,000 tons and account for two more in aggressive gun battles. Despite persistent hostile countermeasures, he employed skillful evasive tactics to bring his ship to port without damage. His leadership and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Commander Fluckey and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Submarine Board of Awards, Serial 0175 (February 28, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Eugene Bennett Fluckey, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief of the United States Military Assistance Advisory Group to the Government of Portugal from July 1968 to July 1972. Responsible for planning, implementing and supervising the United States security assistance effort to Portugal to upgrade and modernize the Portuguese Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Fluckey successfully coordinated United States security assistance operations with those of Portugal to develop more effective, better-equipped and combat-ready Armed Forces. Rear Admiral Fluckey exercised exceptionally sound judgment and keen foresightedness in ensuring that funds available were utilized to the best advantage in the steady improvement of the material and readiness capability of those Portuguese forces committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As the Senior Military Advisor to the Chief of Mission, he consistently provided sage advice in several important and sensitive diplomatic negotiations. By his exemplary performance of duty, Rear Admiral Fluckey made a significant contribution to the international security efforts of the United States, reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
June 1, 1964 – June 11, 1966
All Hands (January 1967)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Eugene Bennett Fluckey, United States Navy, was awarded LOM for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander Ant=submarine Warfare Submarine Patrol (CTG-37.0), Commander Submarine Patrol Group (CTG-57.0) and Commander Missile Attack Group (CTG-57.9), from 1 June 1964 to 11 June 1966, for his work in the implementation of computer programs which have materially assisted submarine planners in improving submarine readiness.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Barb (SS-220)Action Date:
August 4 – October 9, 1944
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 80 (January 5, 1945)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 Eugene Bennett Fluckey, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BARB (SS-220), on the NINTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 4 August 1944 to 9 October 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Luzon Straits. Pursuing aggressive and tenacious tactics despite strong countermeasures by the enemy, Commander Fluckey launched damaging torpedo attacks against Japanese shipping and combatant units to sink a 10,000-ton auxiliary aircraft carrier and to damage a tanker of 5,000 tons. Effecting the rescue of fourteen British and Australian prisoners of war who were survivors of a torpedoed enemy transport, he provided care and treatment for the sick and wounded and, although heavy enemy counterattacks caused minor damage to his ship, employed evasive tactics and returned to port without further damage. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Barb (SS-220)Action Date:
October 27 – November 25, 1944
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 75The 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 Eugene Bennett Fluckey, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BARB (SS-220), on the TENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 27 October 1944 to 25 November 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the East China Sea. Maneuvering his ship in extremely shallow water and with skill and aggressiveness, Commander Fluckey braved intense hostile countermeasures to penetrate strong enemy escort screens and launch smashing torpedo attacks against Japanese shipping, sinking five enemy ships for a total of more than 28,000 tons and damaging three other vessels, including a large aircraft carrier, totaling more than 40,000 tons. By his inspiring leadership and devotion to the fulfillment of his hazardous missions, Commander Fluckey upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Barb (SS-220)Action Date:
December 19, 1944 – February 15, 1945
Submarine Board of Awards, Serial 0175 (February 28, 1945)The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Commander Eugene Bennett Fluckey, 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. BARB (SS-220) during her ELEVENTH War Patrol along the east coast of China from 19 December 1944 to 15 February 1945. After sinking a large enemy ammunition ship and damaging additional tonnage during a running two-hour night battle on 8 January, Commander Fluckey, in an exceptional feat of brilliant deduction and bold tracking on 25 January, located a concentration of more than 30 enemy ships in the lower reaches of Nankuan Chiang (Mamkwan Harbor). Fully aware that a safe retirement would necessitate an hour’s run at full speed through the uncharted, mined, and rock-obstructed waters, he bravely ordered, “Battle station–torpedoes!” In a daring penetration of the heavy enemy screen, and riding in five fathoms of water, he launched the BARB’s last forward torpedoes at 3,000-yard range. Quickly bringing the ship’s stern tubes to bear, he turned loose four more torpedoes into the enemy, obtaining eight direct hits on six of the main targets to explode a large ammunition ship and cause inestimable damage by the resultant flying shells and other pyrotechnics. Clearing the treacherous area at high speed, he brought the BARB through to safety and four days later sank a large Japanese freighter to complete a record of heroic combat achievement, reflecting the highest credit upon Commander Fluckey, his gallant officers and men, and the United States Naval Service.