Samuel David Dealey, Jr. - Dallas, TX
N 32° 45.493 W 096° 49.207
14S E 704210 N 3626585
A Texas Historical Marker in the northwest corner of Lake Cliff Park in Dallas provides a summary of Commander Samuel David Dealey, Jr.'s career in the U.S. Navy, which unfortunately ended when he and his crew went down with the USS Harder in 1944.
Waymark Code: WM183A5
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 05/21/2023
Views: 3
One may park on the streets to the south (E 5th St) and east (Blaylock St). Dedicated on April 8, 2017, the historical marker reads:
Samuel David Dealey, Jr
Commander, United States Navy
Samuel David Dealey, Jr., born on September 13, 1906, to Samuel David and Virgie Downing Dealey of Dallas, became one of the most audacious and successful submariners in the Navy serving in the Pacific during World War II. After his father died in 1912, the family moved to Colorado and then to Santa Monica, California, before returning to Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood in 1923. He graduated from Oak Cliff (W.H. Adamson) High School in 1925 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1930.
Beginning in the spring of 1943, Dealey commanded the USS Harder (SS-257) in a legendary series of successful war patrols against the Imperial Japanese fleet and Japanese shipping. The boat, whose motto was "Hit 'em again, Harder," earned the Presidential Unit Citation (following the fifth war patrol) and six battle stars. His aggressive leadership and the USS Harder's steadfast efforts directly contributed to and influenced the overall success of the American Pacific Submarine Campaign, sinking 16 enemy vessels, which ranked him fifth among submarine skippers during the war in confirmed ships sunk. Dealey's military prowess and valiant fighting spirit also earned him the respect and loyalty of his shipmates.
Commander Dealey and his incomparable crew lost their lives on August 24, 1944, on their sixth patrol near Dasol Bay, Luzon, off the west coast of the Philippines. Dealey was one of seven submarine officers awarded the Medal of Honor and was the most highly decorated sailor of World War II. He left behind his wife, Edwina Vawter of Santa Monica, and three children.
Relevent website: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
Daily, 6 AM to 11 PM
Entrance fees (if any):
The park is open and free to all.
Parking coordinates: N 32° 45.289 W 096° 49.272
Date dedicated: 04/08/2017
Sponsor(s): Texas Historical Commission
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