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