The Man for July 4th - Eugene "Lucky" Fluckey
CITATION:
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. Born: 5 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.
Adm, Fluckey passed away this last week at age 94.
More on this incredible man...
Continue reading "The Man for July 4th - Eugene "Lucky" Fluckey" »
- Immediate, Real , Serious And Strategic Threats Still Exist
Navy orders IMMEDIATE development and deployment of electronic warfare suite for use in the Pacific to counter a NEW, DEFINED, but UNRELEASED threat.ITT Exelis to help Navy with new EW system to protect ships from recently discovered threatJuly 9, 2013WASHINGTON,...
-
ABC: US Navy Fires on Ship in Persian Gulf, One Dead By LUIS MARTINEZ July 16, 2012 An American Navy ship fired on a boat in the Persian Gulf today, killing one person and injuring three others aboard the craft, a U.S. naval official told ABC News.A...
- An Aussie Solution!
Danger Room gives us a glimpse into a possible future option to the Somali conundrum: What’s the best way to avoid Somali pirates? Well, if you’re traveling in a high-speed catamaran, it helps to hit the gas. The wave-piercing catamaran Norman Arrow,...
- You Say Nothing, And The 7th Fleet Arrives. Point Made. No Publicity. No Statements
China said a U.S. naval vessel was conducting illegal surveying activities off its southern island of Hainan, a Hong Kong television website reported on Tuesday, after the Pentagon said Chinese ships had harassed the vessel in international...
- Berkeley And The Us Marines Corps. The Sorrow And The Pity
“By taking a stand against recruitment we are protecting the health and safety of our youth,” said PhoeBe sorgen, a member of the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission. “I see the protest as taking a proud and courageous stand.” The other...