George L. Street III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Levick Street III
|
|
|---|---|
Street in 1945
|
|
| Born | July 27, 1913 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | February 26, 2000 (aged 86) Andover, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1931–1966 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | USS Tirante (SS-420) USS Requin (SS-481) USS Holder (DDE-819) Submarine Division 62 USS Fremont (APA-44) NROTC Unit MIT Submarine Squadron 5 Submarine Group, San Francisco Bay Area Commander Mare Island Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | |
George Levick Street III (born July 27, 1913 – died February 26, 2000) was a brave submarine officer in the United States Navy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his amazing courage during World War II.
Contents
George Street was born in Richmond, Virginia. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1931. In 1933, he was chosen to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from the Academy in 1937.
After serving on two other ships, he decided to join the Submarine School. He graduated and then served for three years on the submarine USS Gar (SS-206). He held different important jobs on the Gar, like handling weapons and navigation.
World War II Heroism
While on the Gar, George Street went on nine war patrols. He earned two Silver Stars for his bravery during these missions.
In July 1944, Lieutenant Commander Street took command of a new submarine, the USS Tirante (SS-420). He trained his crew and prepared the submarine for battle.
First Patrol of the Tirante
The Tirante's first war patrol began in March 1945. They went to the waters southwest of Kyūshū, Japan. Even though many Japanese ships had already been sunk, Street found several targets.
The Tirante sank the tanker Fuji Maru on March 25. Three days later, they sank the freighter Nase Maru. After this attack, Japanese escort ships chased the Tirante for seven hours. But the submarine managed to escape safely.
On March 31, the Tirante used its guns to sink a small 70-ton boat. On April 1, they tried to hit a large landing ship but missed. The submarine then moved to the coast of Korea. On April 6, they surfaced and captured a Japanese fishing boat, taking three crewmen prisoner.
The next day, the Tirante torpedoed a 2,800-ton cargo ship. The submarine surfaced to check for survivors. They even helped Korean fishing boats rescue two people from the water.
American intelligence was able to understand Japanese secret messages. One message told of an important convoy heading toward the Tirante's area. On April 9, the submarine set up an ambush. They fired torpedoes at two ships. One hit the 5,500-ton transport Nikko Maru, which was carrying Japanese soldiers.
Daring Cheju Harbor Attack
On April 15, 1945, Commander Street led the Tirante into Cheju harbor. This was a very risky move. They entered on the surface to avoid hidden dangers like shallow areas and minefields.
Inside the harbor, they found three targets: a freighter and two escort ships. Street used six of his seven remaining torpedoes. He sank the freighter and both escort vessels.
For this incredibly brave action, the Tirante received the Presidential Unit Citation (US). Commander Street was awarded the Medal of Honor. His executive officer, Lieutenant Edward L. Beach Jr., received the Navy Cross.
Street later said that he was most proud of the Presidential Unit Citation. He felt it showed that every man on the submarine was part of that success.
Second Patrol and More Success
The Tirante's second patrol started on May 20, 1945. Street was in charge of a group of nine submarines called "Street's Sweepers." They searched for enemy ships in the Yellow and East China Seas.
On June 11, the Tirante found a convoy of four ships near Nagasaki. They managed to get past the escorts and sank an 800-ton cargo freighter.
The next day, the Tirante did another daring raid. They sneaked into Ha Shima harbor, near Nagasaki. They found the 2,200-ton Hakuju Maru docked next to a coal mine. The submarine fired torpedoes, which caused a huge explosion. Even as shore guns fired at them, the Tirante quickly escaped.
The Tirante and other submarines also attacked small Japanese boats. These boats were carrying supplies from Korea to Japan. The submarine crews would question the masters, put the other crew members in lifeboats, and then burn the boats. The Tirante sank 12 such boats. They also destroyed two heavily armed patrol boats with their guns.
For this patrol, Commander Street received the Navy Cross. The award recognized his "extraordinary heroism" and for sinking over 7,000 tons of enemy shipping.
The war ended during the Tirante's third patrol. Commander Street was promoted to Captain. In October, he received his Medal of Honor at the White House.
After World War II
After the war, Captain Street continued his service in the Navy. He worked as a technical adviser for a submarine movie. He also helped organize the first Undersea Symposium.
He commanded another submarine, the USS Requin (SS-481). This submarine was used to support aircraft carriers. He also commanded a destroyer, the USS Holder (DDE-819), which was used for anti-submarine missions.
In 1955, Street was promoted to Captain. He commanded the attack transport USS Fremont (APA-44). Later, he became a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He also commanded Submarine Squadron Five.
His final Navy job was commanding the Submarine Group in the San Francisco Bay Area. Captain Street retired from active duty in 1966. After retiring from the Navy, he taught at a Navy JROTC unit at Woburn High School until 1977.
Later Life and Legacy
Captain George L. Street III passed away on February 26, 2000. He was 86 years old. As he wished, half of his ashes were scattered at sea from a submarine. The other half were buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Awards and Decorations
George L. Street III received many awards for his service:
- (with an extra star)
- (with an extra star)
- (with nine battle stars)
- (with an extra star)
-
Submarine Combat Patrol insignia
See also
