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NH 50510 Commander Samuel D. Dealey, USN

Photo #: NH 50510  Commander Samuel D. Dealey, USN
Description: Who was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while in command of USS Harder (SS-257) during her Fifth War Patrol, June 1944, when she sank three enemy destroyers and was credited with heavily damaged or sinking two others. For her performance during six successful war patrols, Harder was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and earned the nickname Hit 'Em Again, Harder. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
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Medal of Honor citation of Commander Samuel David Dealey, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 174):


"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 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 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 amidship. Evading detection, he penetrated the confined waters off Tawi Tawi with the Japanese Fleet base 6 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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