Name: Eugene
Bennett Fluckey
Rank and Branch: Commander, U.S. Navy
Place and Date: East coast of China 19 Dec - 15 Feb 1944
Born: 5 October 1913 Washington, DC
Other Navy Awards: Navy Cross with three 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 USS Barb during
her eleventh 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 two
hour night battle on 8 January, Cmdr. 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 (Mamkwam 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
stations - torpedoes!" In a daring penetration of the enemy screen,
and riding in five fathoms of water, he launched the Barb's last
forward torpedoes at 3,000 yard range. Quickly bring the ship's
stern tubes to bear, he turned loose four more torpedoes into the
enemy, obtaining eight direct hits on six of the main targets to
explode a large ammunition ship and caused 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 four days later sank a large Japanese freighter to
complete a record of heroic combat achievement, reflecting the
highest credit upon Cmdr. Fluckey, his gallant officers and men and
the U.S. Naval Service. |
