CDR Samuel D. Dealey

1944

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

COMMANDER SAMUEL D. DEALEY
UNITED STATES NAVY

for services as set forth in the following 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 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 and 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.”

Samuel David Dealey was born on 13 September 1906 in Dallas, Texas. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from that same state and graduated in June 1930. Dealey was commissioned an Ensign and reported for sea duty on board USS Nevada, where he was promoted in June 1933 to Lieutenant Junior Grade. In March 1934, he briefly transferred to USS Rathburne, then reported that Summer for submarine training at the Submarine School, New London, Connecticut. After graduating, he served on board the submarines USS S-34 and USS S-24. Remaining on sea duty, he reported on board USS Nautilius then USS Bass.

In May 1937, he was assigned as Aide to the Executive Officer at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. While at the Naval Air Station, he was promoted in June 1938 to Lieutenant. In the Summer of 1939, he was assigned as the Executive Officer on board USS Wyoming, transferring to be the Executive Officer on board USS Reuben James. In April 1941, he reported to Experimental Division One for duty as the Prospective Commanding Officer of USS S-20, which he commanded for two years and served upon during the United States’ entry into World War II. In June 1942, he was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant Commander. After additional training at the Prospective Submarine Commanding Officers School at Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, he reported to help fit out then command USS Harder in December. Previously that October, he was temporarily promoted to Commander.

Under Dealey’s command, Harder served in the Pacific and participated in six successful War Patrols. He is most noted for his leadership in the submarine’s Fifth War Patrol when it operated in Japanese controlled waters off Tawi Tawi, Philippine Islands on 9-10 June 1944. During this time, Dealey valiantly led his men as they sunk five Japanese destroyers with five short-range torpedo attacks. On the morning of 24 August, Harder was sunk in Dasol Bay, Philippines by enemy depth charges on its Sixth War Patrol. There were no survivors and the crew was never recovered. For his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” in sinking the Japanese destroyers during the Fifth War Patrol, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Samuel D. Dealey is listed on the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Wall of the Dead at Manila Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.

USS Dealey (DE-1006), 1954-1972, was named after Commander Samuel D. Dealey.