SAMUEL D. DEALEY, CDR, USN
Samuel Dealey '30
Lucky Bag
From the 1930 Lucky Bag:
SAM D. DEALEY
Dallas, Texas
"Tex" "Sam" "Texas"
A BATTLESHIP has never dropped anchor at Dallas, Texas, but some day, "Sam" swears, he is going to pilot one right up to the Mayor's front door; and he'll do it, too, if he figures it is a good advertising stunt.
The Rio Grande is more Rio and less Grand since "Tex" betook his famous smile from yon to hither, and the Navy is richer by a never-failing sense of humor and a personality never learned in books. Not that life has been just one long grin, for the Academics have ever been rather close behind; but it's when the worries are worst that his smile is broadest,—and you can't beat a man like that.
Struggles with the Academics only increased that determination to make a monkey out of the apparently insurmountable walls blocking the way to graduation. His determination has been deepened and increased by that sense of responsibility one always assumes with the planting of a miniature. Yes—his most noteworthy successes have been with rings, success in the boxing ring and success with an engagement ring.
As an organizer of parties, real parties, "Tex" is hard to beat. His potent line serves as the key to open all the doors from the jail on up to the Executive Mansion. Conscientious enough to please the most exacting, he is broadminded enough to see all angles of every question.
Class Boxing 2, 1; Class Track 4; 2 P.O.
SAM D. DEALEY
Dallas, Texas
"Tex" "Sam" "Texas"
A BATTLESHIP has never dropped anchor at Dallas, Texas, but some day, "Sam" swears, he is going to pilot one right up to the Mayor's front door; and he'll do it, too, if he figures it is a good advertising stunt.
The Rio Grande is more Rio and less Grand since "Tex" betook his famous smile from yon to hither, and the Navy is richer by a never-failing sense of humor and a personality never learned in books. Not that life has been just one long grin, for the Academics have ever been rather close behind; but it's when the worries are worst that his smile is broadest,—and you can't beat a man like that.
Struggles with the Academics only increased that determination to make a monkey out of the apparently insurmountable walls blocking the way to graduation. His determination has been deepened and increased by that sense of responsibility one always assumes with the planting of a miniature. Yes—his most noteworthy successes have been with rings, success in the boxing ring and success with an engagement ring.
As an organizer of parties, real parties, "Tex" is hard to beat. His potent line serves as the key to open all the doors from the jail on up to the Executive Mansion. Conscientious enough to please the most exacting, he is broadminded enough to see all angles of every question.
Class Boxing 2, 1; Class Track 4; 2 P.O.
Loss
Sam was lost on August 24, 1944, when USS Harder (SS 257) was sunk by a Japanese minesweeper outside Dasol Bay, Philippines. He was the boat's commissioning commanding officer (December 2, 1942) and had taken her on all six war patrols.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for the fifth war patrol; it was presented to his wife by President Truman at the White House on November 15, 1945.
Photographs
CDR Dealey wearing the Navy Cross presented to him by Vice Admiral Lockwood 19 October 1943.
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From the San Angelo Standard Times on January 7, 1945
From the El Paso Times on September 4, 1945
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
At Adamson high school (formerly Oak Cliff high school) in 1923, Sam ran the one- and two-mile races in track. He was on the debate team in 1924, and he graduated in June, 1925. “Entered from Santa Monica High, Los Angeles, California ’23. Declamation Contest; Speaking Leopards Literary Society; Five Minute Talk Contest; Track ’23.” In the 1926 yearbook, he was listed on the Alumni page as attending Annapolis Naval Academy.
His wedding announcement was made at a bridge-tea party in Los Angeles in April, 1930. Per the Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1930: “The announcement was made by means of a silver and white ship laced in the center of the tea table, in which, attached to silver anchors, were tiny silver hearts concealed, bearing the names of the betrothed.” He married Helen Edwina Vawter on June 14, at the First Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. Their children were Joan, David and Barbara Lee.
His mother-in-law, Mrs. E. J. Vawter, Jr., gave him a dinner party for his birthday in September, 1930, at her home in Ocean Park, California.
In January, 1935, Samuel, Edwina, Joan and David traveled to Honolulu on the S. S. Lurline.
Samuel’s father Samuel was in real estate; his mother was Virginia. Siblings were George, Jerome, Ethel, Margaret and Doris who died at 19 months old. Samuel was the third son, and he was named Samuel, Jr.
Samuel’s uncle George Bannerman Dealey, a civic leader and early publisher of The Dallas Morning News, campaigned for the downtown area's revitalization. The area became known as the famous Dealey Plaza.
His wife was listed as next of kin. Sam has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery and another memory marker in Texas. He is also listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Early life and career
From Find A Grave:
The nephew of Dallas Morning News owner George B. Dealey, Medal of Honor Recipient Sam Dealey was born on September 13, 1906, in Dallas, Texas. His mother moved the family temporarily to Santa Monica, California, following his father's death in 1912, returning in time for Sam Dealey to graduate high school in Dallas.
He attended Southern Methodist University for two years before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1925. Dealey married Edwina Vawter of Santa Monica after his 1930 graduation.
From Wikipedia:
… Dealey was commissioned an Ensign and reported for sea duty aboard USS Nevada (BB 36), where he was promoted in June 1933 to Lieutenant (junior grade). In March 1934, he briefly transferred to USS Rathburne (DD 113), 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 (SS 139) and USS S-24 (SS 129). Remaining on sea duty, he reported on board USS Nautilus (SS 168) then USS Bass (SS 164).
In May 1937, he was assigned as Aide to the Executive Officer at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida (NAS Pensacola). While there, in June 1938, he was promoted to Lieutenant. In Summer 1939, he was assigned as the executive officer (first officer) on board USS Reuben James (DD 245). In April 1941, he reported to Experimental Division One for duty as the Prospective Commanding Officer (PCO) of USS S-20 (SS 125) to support at-sea experiments off New London. He commanded S-20 for two years, serving aboard at the United States' entry into World War II.
Wartime Service
From Wikipedia:
When war broke out, Dealey's practical qualifications led to assignment as Commanding Officer of the new-construction Gato-class submarine USS Harder (SS 257), which he commissioned on December 2, 1942, less than a year after Pearl Harbor. After a shakedown off the East Coast, Dealey survived a "blue-on-blue" attack by a Navy patrol bomber in the Caribbean to bring Harder to the Pacific in the spring of 1943.
First patrol
Harder left Pearl Harbor on her first war patrol on June 7, 1943, bound for the coast of southern Honshu. In Dealey's first attack on a two-ship enemy convoy late on the night of June 21, the submarine was driven down deep by an aggressive enemy escort and crashed into the muddy bottom - an inauspicious beginning, even though it now appears that one enemy target may have been damaged. Dealey backed the submarine out of the mud, and two nights later had his first real success in torpedoing the Japanese seaplane tender Sagara Maru (7,000 tons) and crippling the enemy ship so badly that it was beached on the Japanese mainland and abandoned as a total loss. Over the next four days, Dealey made seven attacks on three different enemy ship convoys, but post-war analysis credits him only with possible damage to one enemy ship.
Second patrol
Harder returned to Midway Island on July 7, 1943 with one of its four diesel engines completely broken down. The submarine was one of twelve Gatos boats fitted originally with the troublesome Hooven-Owens-Rentschler (HOR) engines, whose original design was licensed from the German firm Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg (MAN) in the 1930s. After some hasty repairs and bearing a generous inventory of spare engine parts, Harder returned to sea for a second war patrol off Honshu in late August. In 14 days made nine attacks, which netted Dealey five enemy ships sunk for 15,000 tons in the postwar accounting. Once again, the submarine suffered engine problems throughout the patrol but returned safely to Pearl Harbor, via Midway, on October 7, 1943.
Third patrol
At the end of October 1943, COMSUBPAC, Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, ordered Harder, USS Snook (SS 279), and USS Pargo (SS 264) to the Marianas as a submarine wolfpack to attack Japanese shipping in preparation for the invasion of Tarawa. At that stage of the war, "coordinated operations" among submarines were still hampered by poor communications. Thus, after collaborating with Pargo in attacking an enemy freighter on October 12 - with results never clearly established - and sinking a small enemy minesweeper with gunfire that night, Dealey was soon separated from the rest and operating independently. On November 19, he picked up an enemy convoy of three large Japanese freighters with accompanying escorts north of the Marianas and positioned for an attack, altogether firing ten torpedoes in his first attempt, scoring hits on two enemy targets. Driven below by the enemy escort ships, Dealey surfaced later that night to chase the enemy freighter that had managed to escape undamaged. Eventually firing 11 more torpedoes at the fugitive ship for two hits and four circular runs - then driven off by defensive gunfire from the tenacious Japanese gunners - Dealey broke off the engagement and returned to Pearl Harbor because of lack of torpedoes. Later, it was established all three enemy ships had sunk, the third - Nikko Maru - late that night, giving Dealey and Harder a total of 4 enemy ships sunk (over 15,000 tons) for their third war patrol. Once again, however, one of Harder's HOR engines had failed completely, and the other three engines were kept running only by cannibalizing the fourth engine. Thus, shortly after the submarine arrived in Hawaii on November 30, Harder was sent back to Mare Island to be re-engined with General Motors diesel engines.
Fourth patrol
Dealey brought Harder back to Pearl Harbor in late February 1944 and took her out for her fourth war patrol on March 16, 1944, accompanied by USS Seahorse (SS 304). Initially assigned lifeguard duty for downed U.S. aviators in the western Caroline Islands, Harder on April 1 was sent to rescue an injured navy pilot on a small enemy-held island just west of Woleai, which had been hit that day by an American aircraft carrier strike. Under an umbrella of friendly air cover, Dealey nosed Harder toward the beach until he could ground the bow up against the encircling reef and hold it there by working both screws. Then, in the face of Japanese sniper fire only partially suppressed by the circling aircraft, a rubber boat was sent in to retrieve the navy pilot, Ensign John Galvin, who was brought to safety in what soon became a legendary rescue. As Blair describes it:
By the time Harder got to the reported position, the aviator, Ensign John R. Galvin, was already stranded high and dry on the beach. Dealey lay alongside a reef. Dealey's third officer, Samuel Moore Logan, and two volunteers jumped in the water with a rubber raft, secured to Harder by a line. They fought their way through the surf and coral to the island and picked up Ensign Galvin. As they were attempting to get back to Harder, a navy floatplane landed to help. It ran over the line and parted it. Another Harder volunteer jumped in the water and swam another line through the surf and coral to the beach. While navy planes circled overhead, Japanese snipers fired away from the foliage while the Harder's men pulled the raft and the five men aboard. The rescue was later hailed as one of the boldest on record.
Continuing his war patrol, Dealey next scored his first of four successes against the toughest target of all - an enemy Japanese destroyer. Spotted by an enemy aircraft north of the Western Carolines on April 13, 1944, Harder became the quarry of a patrolling enemy destroyer Ikazuchi, which closed to within 900 yd (820 m) before Dealey fired a spread of torpedoes. The destroyer sank within five minutes. Dealey's ensuing contact report quickly became famous: "Expended four torpedoes and one Jap destroyer". Four days later, Dealey also sank Matsue Maru (7,000 tons) near Woleai - then surfaced again near the island on April 20 to bombard the beleaguered Japanese garrison with his submarine's 4 in (100 mm) deck gun. Harder ended its fourth war patrol at Fremantle, Australia, on May 3, 1944.
Fifth patrol - Medal of Honor action
Next, Dealey was ordered to take Harder on patrol on May 26, 1944 off the Japanese fleet anchorage at Tawi Tawi. Dealey was asked to pick up some friendly guerrilla fighters from nearby northeastern Borneo. Heading into the Sibutu Passage on the night of June 6 he came upon an enemy convoy of three tankers in ballast, escorted by two destroyers. One destroyer detected him and attacked. Again, Dealey let the enemy destroyer close to less than 1,100 yd (1,000 m) before firing three torpedoes, and Minatsuki became his second destroyer victim. Then Dealey pursued, executing an end around. Diving to radar depth, he was attacked by the second destroyer. He fired all six bow tubes from just 1,200 yd (1,100 m); all missed, and Harder plunged accidentally to 400 ft (120 m), losing contact. At 11.43 on 7 June, Dealey encountered another destroyer, Hayanami, south of Tawi Tawi, and attacked with three torpedoes from point blank range, 650 yd (590 m); all three hit. Hayanami blew up virtually overhead, and one of her sisters subjected Harder to a two-hour depth charge attack. By 17.30, there were eight hunting him. Dealey slipped away. Harder transited the Sibutu Passage to pick up the guerrilla force on the night of June 8/9 and headed back early the next day.
In the narrowest part of the Passage, Dealey spotted what appeared to be two more patrolling Japanese destroyers and made an undetected approach. Firing four torpedoes at the overlapping targets, he was rewarded with two hits in Tanikaze, which sank almost immediately. Dealey thought he had scored a hit and sunk another destroyer also, but (notoriously inaccurate) postwar records failed to confirm it. On June 10, 1944, Dealey sighted a large Japanese task force: three battleships, four cruisers, and their screening destroyers, but the submarine was spotted by an enemy airplane, and one of the enemy escorts pressed an attack on the sub. Dealey sent three torpedoes "down the throat," heard several explosions, and thought he had scored another kill, before diving to avoid two hours of relentless depth-charging. Postwar, Japanese records later showed the destroyer was able to avoid his torpedoes. Dealey returned to Darwin on June 21 after an outstanding patrol that firmly established his reputation as the "Destroyer Killer," with what was then thought to be a total of six to his credit. Of greater strategic importance was the ensuing decision by Japanese Admiral Soemu Toyoda to abandon Tawi Tawi anchorage as too exposed to enemy submarines, a sortie that then precipitated the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
In a curious incident that still raises eyebrows today, Rear Admiral Ralph Waldo Christie, who commanded U.S. submarines at Fremantle, ordered Harder back to sea on the day she arrived, ostensibly to seek out and attack a Japanese cargo ship that carried nickel ore from Celebes to the homeland once a month - but also to give Christie an opportunity to participate personally in a short war patrol. Assigned on June 27, 1944 to intercept a damaged Japanese cruiser returning from the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Dealey was unable to close for an attack and was similarly outmaneuvered by the "nickel ship" three days later, when Japanese patrol aircraft forced him down and kept him there. Harder returned to Darwin without further incident on July 3, and the whole episode was treated simply as an extension of the ship's fifth patrol.
During their time together, however, Admiral Christie took Dealey aside and noted his opinion that after five successful war patrols, it was time for Dealey to relinquish command to his executive officer, Tiny Lynch, and move on to other duty. Dealey demurred. With about a third of Harder's crew about to be replaced (following the Navy's standard crew rotation policy), he felt a personal responsibility to break in the new men before turning the boat over to a fledgling Commanding Officer. Ultimately, Christie agreed Dealey could take Harder out for one more patrol, her sixth.
Sixth patrol
After a two-week rest at "Bend of the Elbow", Dealey considered himself sufficiently rested. Lynch, who would have gotten Harder, disagreed. Dealey left Fremantle on August 5, 1944, commanding a three-sub wolfpack, joined by USS Haddo (SS 255) (Chester Nimitz, Jr.) and USS Hake (SS 256) (Frank E. Haylor, who replaced John Broach). Their objective was the destruction of Japanese shipping off the west coast of the Philippines, south of the Luzon Strait. After being informed (thanks to a contact report from William Kinsella's Ray, himself guided by Ultra) Japanese convoy HI-71 holed up in Paluan Bay in northern Mindoro, Harder and Haddo joined three other U.S. submarines (Guitarro, Raton, and Kinsella's Ray, with only four torpedoes remaining), all under Dealey's command (as senior officer present afloat). When the enemy convoy sortied at 05.45 on August 21, the resulting mêlée - punctuated by intense depth charge barrages by the Japanese - left four enemy merchantmens totaling 22,400 tons on the bottom, with all five U.S. submarines unscathed. Of the four victims, two were credited to Haddo, and one to Guitarro, while Dealey failed to score, after Kinsella's attack (the informal pack's first) caused the convoy to steer away from Harder.
Dealey and Nimitz then moved northward to Manila Bay, arriving that same evening, and shortly after midnight picked up three small targets on radar. These were three 900-ton enemy frigates, late of HI-71. Co-ordinating with Nimitz, at around 04.00, Dealey fired bow tubes, hitting Matsuwa and Hiburi; Haddo scored hits in Sado. At first light, Dealey finished off Matsuwa and Nimitz Sado; when Nimitz missed Hiburi, Dealey finished her off. The two submarines then moved northward along Luzon to rendezvous with Hake, but on the morning of 23 August, Nimitz expended his last torpedoes in sinking the destroyer Asakaze. Believing Asakaze had only been crippled and towed into Dasol Bay, south of Lingayan, Harder and Hake lay in wait outside.
At 05.54 on August 24, 1944, two ships emerged from Dasol Bay - an enemy minesweeper and the old Thai destroyer Phra Ruang (ex HMS Radiant), actually Kaibokan CD-22 and PB-102 (ex-USS Stewart (DD 224)). Hake maneuvered to attack the destroyer, but became suspicious and broke off when the destroyer turned back into the bay. Meanwhile, the Japanese minesweeper continued out, pinging continually, and Hake moved off to evade. Haylor caught a last glimpse of Harder's periscope at 0647. At 0728, Haylor heard a string of 15 depth charge explosions in the distance; then nothing.
Remaining in the area all day, Haylor surfaced after dark, at 20.10, and tried to contact Dealey, with no success. Over the next two weeks, Haylor continued his search, but no sign of Dealey or Harder materialized. On September 10, Nimitz returned after refuelling and reloading, confirming Dealey had not returned, as Haylor hoped. It became apparent the enemy minesweeper had been successful on August 24 in ending their extraordinary run. Indeed, after the war, Japanese records showed an antisubmarine attack that morning off Caiman Point had resulted in oil, wood chips, and cork floating in the vicinity. Dealey's death produced waves of "profound shock" and grief through the entire Submarine Force.
Dealey's loss is still blamed on fatigue by some, such as Lynch. It widened the gulf between Christie and Lockwood. In addition, Christie's attempt to nominate Dealey for a second Medal of Honor was thwarted by Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, who argued the award of an Army Distinguished Service Cross for the patrol precluded any Navy decoration. Dealey did eventually get the Medal, only the fourth submariner so honored at that time.
In the final analysis, Dealey had sunk 16 enemy ships, with total tonnage of 54,002 tons according to the postwar accounting - enough to make him number five among U.S. submarine skippers in World War II.
Medal of Honor
From Veteran Tributes:
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.
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 7 June 1943 to 7 July 1943, in action against enemy forces near Honshu, Japan. Skillfully maneuvering his ship into striking position, Commander Dealey succeeded in sinking over 15,000 tons and damaging over 27,000 tons of enemy shipping. His cool courage, aggressive leadership, and gallant devotion to duty reflect great credit upon his command and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 40 (September 9, 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine during the period 24 August 1943 to 8 October 1943, in action against enemy forces near Honshu, Japan. Although operating in dangerously shallow water and in the presence of formidable concentrations of anti-submarine vessels, Commander Dealey, with superb skill and fearless persistence, pressed home a series of vigorous attacks which resulted in the sinking of an important amount of hostile shipping and the damaging of a Japanese trawler. His expert seamanship and cool courage in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 44 (November 24, 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 30 October 1943 to 3 November 1943, in action against enemy Japanese-controlled waters of the Marianas Islands, Pacific War Area. Despite violent hostile anti-submarine measures, Commander Dealey pressed home his attacks against enemy surface vessels with brilliant tactical skill and fearless tenacity and succeeded in sinking an important amount of Japanese shipping. His superb leadership and calm courage in the face of grave danger and the gallant conduct of his intrepid command were an inspiration to the entire Submarine Service.
General Orders: Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 0573 (February 18, 1944)
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 29 March 1944 to 20 April 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific Area. Persistently searching the hazardous and confined waters of his assigned sector, Commander Dealey operated with determined aggressiveness throughout a prolonged and arduous mission, during which he repeatedly closed a fortified enemy atoll to short range for visual and photographic reconnaissance, thereby aiding the subsequent planning and execution of vigorous aerial strikes against hostile positions. Under his daring leadership, the Harder effected the rescue of a friendly pilot from a rubber raft marooned off a Japanese-held island despite harassing fire from hostile snipers and heavy aerial bombardment, sank an attacking enemy warship with a powerful salvo fired at close range and attacked and destroyed a freighter, probably sinking one of the freighter's escort vessels. Consistently daring in his conduct of forays against the Japanese, Commander Dealey placed the Harder within two thousand yards of a fiercely defended island on the morning of 20 April to deliver a smashing bombardment and inflict severe damage upon a vital enemy airstrip. By his outstanding seamanship, tenacious determination and courage in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Dealey contributed materially to the weakening of Japanese strength in this area and his valiant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant ship's company and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 02069 (July 31, 1944)
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Distinguished Service Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in the Southwest Pacific Area during the period 6 to 10 June 1944. While Commanding Officer of the submarine U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257) on the Fifth War Patrol of that vessel in enemy patrolled waters, Commander Dealey adeptly and daringly maneuvered his ship into firing position, and under heavy enemy pressure, in four aggressive close range torpedo attacks, sank five enemy destroyers. In these attacks outstanding professional skill and competence were displayed in obtaining eight hits from the thirteen torpedoes fired. With great adeptness, he then maneuvered his ship subsequent to these attacks so as to prevent serious damage to his ship by anti-submarine measures.
General Orders: Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 6 (July 9, 1944)
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Silver Star
From Hall of Valor:
SYNOPSIS: Commander Samuel David Dealey (NSN: 0-63136), United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for gallantry in action in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257), on the SIXTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 5 August 1944 to 24 August 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific Area. By his outstanding seamanship, tenacious determination and courage in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Dealey contributed materially to the weakening of Japanese strength in this area and his valiant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant ship's company and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 380 (October 1948)
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Namesake
USS Dealey (DE 1006) was named for Sam; the ship was sponsored by his widow.
The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.
The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.
The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.
Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.
October 1930
January 1931
April 1931
July 1931
October 1931
January 1932
April 1932
October 1932
January 1933
April 1933
July 1933
October 1933
April 1934
July 1934
October 1934
January 1935
April 1935
October 1935
January 1937
April 1937
September 1937
CAPT Paul Moret '30
1LT Harold Larson '31
LTjg Albert Gray '31
LTjg Charles Crommelin '31
LTjg John Spiers '32
LTjg John Phillips, Jr. '33
LTjg Robert Isely '33
CAPT Ernest Pollock '28 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
LT William Pennewill '29 (Training Squadron (VN) 1D8)
January 1938
CAPT Paul Moret '30
1LT Harold Larson '31
LTjg Albert Gray '31
LTjg Charles Crommelin '31
LTjg John Spiers '32
LTjg John Phillips, Jr. '33
LTjg Robert Isely '33
ENS Glenn Dunagan '33
CAPT Ernest Pollock '28 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
LTjg Alden Irons '31 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
July 1938
LT Renwick Calderhead '27
LTjg John Huntley '31
LTjg Albert Gray '31
LTjg George Ottinger '32
LTjg William Widhelm '32
ENS Glenn Dunagan '33
ENS Norman Ostergren '35
January 1939
LT Renwick Calderhead '27
LTjg John Huntley '31
LTjg Albert Gray '31
LTjg William Thorn '32
LTjg Glenn Dunagan '33
LTjg Norman Ostergren '35
CAPT Paul Moret '30 (Training Squadron (VN) 3D8)
LT Alden Irons '31 (Training Squadron (VN) 3D8)
LTjg William Widhelm '32 (Training Squadron (VN) 5D8)
2LT Ralph Haas '36 (Marine Barracks)
June 1940
November 1940
April 1941
Wreck Location Discovered
USS Harder (SS 257) was discovered in 2024 on the ocean floor in more than 3,000 feet of water, relatively intact except for depth charge damage aft of the conning tower.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
