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Thomas Michael Dykers
Born(1905-12-03)December 3, 1905
New Orleans, LA
DiedJune 13, 1975(1975-06-13) (aged 69)
New Orleans, LA
Buried
Cypress Grove Cemetery, New Orleans
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1923–1949 [1]
Rank Rear Admiral
Commands heldUSS S-35 (SS-140)[2][3]
USS Jack (SS-259) [4]
Submarine Division 282 [5]
Submarine Division 104 [5]
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards Navy Cross (2) [6]
Silver Star
Bronze Star[6]
Spouse(s)Margaret Frances Tydings [6]
Other workThe Silent Service (TV series)

Thomas Michael Dykers, Sr. (December 3, 1905 – June 13, 1975) was a submarine commander during World War II who reached the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He was also a writer and Television producer. He produced and narrated the 1957–58 TV series The Silent Service.[7]

Early life

Dykers was born in 1905 to Reginald and Phoebe Alberta Dykers (née Hall) in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his education at Tulane University, where he became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The following year he transferred to The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland , and graduated in 1927.[6]

Junior Officer

After graduating from Annapolis, Dykers served onboard the USS Memphis. In 1930 Dykers had completed a course in chemical warfare, and was assigned to the USS Bulmer.[8] In 1931 Dykers completed a submarine course in New London, Connecticut, and was subsequently assigned to the USS S-15 (SS-120).[9] In 1934 Dykers completed a submarine commanders course while still being assigned to the USS S-15.[10] In 1935 and 1936 Dykers was assigned to the Georgia School of Technology (now the Georgia Institute of Technology) R.O.T.C. and completed the Naval War College Correspondence Course.[11] In 1937 Dykers was assigned to the USS S-25 (SS-130).[12] In 1938 Dykers took command of the USS S-35 (SS-140).[13]

World War II

Dykers took command of the USS Jack in 1942, as her first commanding officer, and subsequently sank eight Japanese ships and was highly decorated for his service.[6]

Later career

In 1949 Rear Admiral Dykers retired from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and moved to California. There he became a technical advisor for the film industry, aiding in films such as The Flying Missile, Submarine Command, and Torpedo Alley.[7] He later produced and narrated the 1957–58 TV series The Silent Service.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Service Conducted For Sailor, Writer". Cumberland, Maryland: Cumberland Evening Times. 17 June 1975. p. 2. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  2. ^ Svonavec (1936-05-30). "Submarine Commanders by USNA Class Year 1926 - 1930". Fleet Organization Home Page. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  3. ^ Svonavec (1940-10-16). "Submarine Commanders, S Class Boats". Fleet Organization Home Page. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  4. ^ Svonavec (1941-12-31). "Submarine Commanders, Wartime Fleet Boats". Fleet Organization Home Page. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  5. ^ a b "Submarine Division Commanders". imdb.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Thomas Dykers Obituary, 23 Sep 1975, The Houston Post" (PDF). navsource.org.
  7. ^ a b c "Thomas M. Dykers". imdb.com.
  8. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1930.
  9. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1932.
  10. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1934. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  11. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1936. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016.
  12. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1937. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  13. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1938. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016.
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