This highest award possible from the United States Government was given to only seven American submariners. Three of them were posthumously. The four surviving recipients are or were Members of SHARKHUNTERS.

The CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR was awarded to Commander George L. Street. The citation reads:

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to:

COMMANDER GEORGE L. STREET III
UNITED STATES NAVY

for service as set forth in the following 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, Commander (then Lieutenant Commander) 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 10-fathom curve far 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, Commander 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 USS 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 shore line, diving deep as a pursuing patrol vessel dropped a pattern of depth charges at the point of submergence. His illustrious record of combat achievement during the First War Patrol of the USS TIRANTE characterizes Commander Street’s exemplary bearing, unfaltering courage, and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

CAPTAIN STREET is Member (2448-1992). Thanks to CAPT. JOHN VICK (233-1987) for this information.