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Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, Commanding U.S.S. Barb.
Place and date: Along coast of China, 19 December 1944 to 15 February 1945.
Entered service at: Illinois. Birth: S October 1913, Washington, D.C. Other
Navy award: Navy Cross with 3 Gold Stars. 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. Barb during her 11th 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 2-hour night battle on 8 January, Comdr. 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 5 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 4 more torpedoes into the
enemy, obtaining 8 direct hits on 6 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 4 days later sank a large Japanese
freighter to complete a record of heroic combat achievement, reflecting
the highest credit upon Comdr. Fluckey, his gallant officers and men, and
the U.S. Naval Service.
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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