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Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Birth: 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.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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