Name: George
Levick Street III
Rank and Branch: Commander, U.S. Navy
Born: 27 July 1913, Richmond, Va.
Other Navy Awards: Navy Cross, Silver Star Medal with one
gold star, Presidential Unit Citation
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 Tirante
during the first war patrol of that vessel against enemy Japanese
surface forces in the harbor of Quelpart Island, off the coast of
Korea, on 14 April 1945. With the crew at surface battle stations,
Cmdr. (then Lt.Cmdr) Street approached the hostile anchorage from
the south within 1,200 yards of the coast to complete a
reconnoitering circuit of the island. Leaving the ten fathom curve
behind, he penetrated the mined and shoal obstructed waters of the
restricted harbor despite numerous patrolling vessels and in
defiance of five shore based radar stations and menacing aircraft.
Prepared to fight it out on the surface if attacked, Cmdr. Street
went into action sending two torpedoes with deadly accuracy into a
large Japanese ammunition ship and exploding the target in a
mountainous and blinding glare of white flames. With the Tirante
instantly spotted by the enemy as she stood out plainly in the flare
of light, he ordered the torpedo data computer set up while retiring
and fired his last two torpedoes to disintegrate in quick succession
the leading frigate and a similar flanking vessel. Clearing the
gutted harbor at emergency full speed ahead, he slipped undetected
along the shoreline, diving deep as a pursuing patrol dropped depth
charges at the point of submergence. His illustrious record of
combat achievement during the first war patrol of the Tirante
characterizes Cmdr. Street as a daring and skilled leader and
reflects the highest credit upon himself, his valiant command and
the U.S. Naval Service. |
