
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
STREET, GEORGE LEVICK, III
Rank and organization: Commander, U.S.
Navy, U.S.S. Tirante. Place and date: Harbor of Quelpart Island, off the coast of
Korea, 14 April 1945. Entered service at. Virginia. Born: 27 July 1913,
Richmond, Va. Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Silver Star with 1 Gold Star.
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. Tirante during the first war patrol of
that vessel against enemy Japanese surface forces in the harbor of Quelpart Island, off
the coast of Korea, on 14 April 1945. With the crew at surface battle stations, Comdr.
(then Lt. Comdr.) Street approached the hostile anchorage from the south within 1,200
yards of the coast to complete a reconnoitering circuit of the island. Leaving the
10-fathom curve far behind he penetrated the mined and shoal-obstructed waters of the
restricted harbor despite numerous patrolling vessels and in defiance of 5 shore-based
radar stations and menacing aircraft. Prepared to fight it out on the surface if attacked,
Comdr. Street went into action, sending 2 torpedoes with deadly accuracy into a large
Japanese ammunition ship and exploding the target in a mountainous and blinding glare of
white flames. With the Tirante instantly spotted by the enemy as she stood out plainly in
the flare of light, he ordered the torpedo data computer set up while retiring and fired
his last 2 torpedoes to disintegrate in quick succession the leading frigate and a similar
flanking vessel. Clearing the gutted harbor at emergency full speed ahead, he slipped
undetected along the shoreline, diving deep as a pursuing patrol dropped a pattern of
depth charges at the point of submergence. His illustrious record of combat achievement
during the first war patrol of the Tirante characterizes Comdr. Street as a daring and
skilled leader and reflects the highest credit upon himself, his valiant command, and the
U.S. Naval Service.
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