The Glory of Their Deeds

Chester Nimitz and William "Bull" Halsey are more familiar names, but the truth is neither one of them was as highly decorated as Eugene B. Fluckey.

Before Japan surrendered, "Lucky Fluckey," as he was known, received numerous medals including four Navy Crosses, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the highest decoration of them all, the Medal of Honor.

As the commander of the U.S.S. Barb, Fluckey and his crew sank 29 vessels, including an aircraft carrier, while surviving an estimated 400 shells, bombs, and depth charges fired by the enemy.

Always innovative, he even conceived of a method for firing rockets from a submarine – and was the first to do so in anger off the coast of Japan in 1945.

His crew also led the only invasion of the Japanese mainland, as eight of his saboteurs blew up a 16-car train under the cover of darkness.

Through it all, not one member of Fluckey's crew ever received a Purple Heart.

As retired Capt. Max Duncan, a torpedo officer on the Barb, recalled, "He gave you a job, expected you to do it, and didn't micromanage."

Loved by his crew, Fluckey kept a secret stash of beer aboard the Barb, serving up cold ones every time an enemy ship went to the bottom.

"The beer didn't last too long," Captain Duncan remembered, "because we sank too many ships."

Sadly, like so many others of The Greatest Generation, time eventually caught up with Admiral Fluckey. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 93.

But before he passed, he left us with a few thoughts. Speaking before a new group of submariners, the Admiral said:

"Serve your country well. Put more into life than you expect to get out of it. Drive yourself and lead others. Make others feel good about themselves, they will outperform your expectations, and you will never lack for friends. On U.S.S Barb, our philosophy was, 'We don't have problems – just solutions.'"

Of course, Fluckey really was one of the lucky ones. He survived while so many others honored this Memorial Day made the ultimate sacrifice.

So as you ice down some cold beers of your own this weekend, remember the fate of the boys of Pointe du Hoc, the Ia Drang Valley, and so many other countless battlefields the world over.

To the living and the dead, we all owe a debt that can never be repaid.

From our entire staff, have a great Memorial Day!


Steve Christ, Editor
Oil and Energy Investor