TFH 12/13: Commander John Milton Hyde, USN

On this day in 1944, the captain of the Balao-class submarine USS Bergall (SS-320) found his boat in water too shallow to submerge. Undeterred, he led the Bergall on a night surface attack on two Japanese heavy cruisers, destroying one and severely damaging the second at a minimum. For his leadership and courage, he was decorated with our Nation's second highest honor: the Navy Cross.

From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander John Milton Hyde (NSN: 0-73456), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BERGALL (SS-320), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine on 13 December 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the South China Sea. Contacting two hostile heavy cruisers in water too shallow to permit submersion if detected, Commander Hyde courageously launched a night surface attack against the enemy vessels and directed the firing of six torpedoes, which caused one of the cruisers to blow up with a tremendous explosion and a mass of engulfing flames and inflicted extensive damage on the other which stopped dead in the water. After reloading, he once again attacked the crippled vessel and, when a salvo from the damaged cruiser inflicted damage to the BERGALL's pressure hull, skillfully maneuvered his craft to evade further damage and return to port. By his leadership, gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty, Commander Hyde upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

John Hyde also received three Silver Star medals for heroism and skill as a submarine officer and commander in the face of the enemy. To him, and to all our brave submariners who have defended liberty throughout the Earth's oceans, we say thank you.