This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Gallaher, Antone Renkl, CAPT USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Augusta
Last Address San Diego, CA
Date of Passing Oct 13, 1982
Location of Interment Ashes Scattered, Pacific Ocean
For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a U.S. Submarine during a war patrol in enemy-controlled waters. Despite extremely strong enemy escorts which included air support, he skillfully penetrated the escort screens, and through his daring and aggressive determination, delivered smashing torpedo attacks against enemy shipping. As a result of these well-planned and brilliantly executed attacks, he successfully sank three enemy ships totaling 20,200 tons, and damaged tow additional enemy ships totaling 15,000 tons. Although severely depth-charged and fired upon by escorts, and bombed by aircraft, his skillful and brilliant evasive tactics enabled him to escape and bring his ship to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.
For the other three Navy Cross award write ups, click on his individual awards
Leyte Campaign (1944)/Battle of Leyte Gulf
From Month/Year
October / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the Battles for Leyte Gulf, and formerly known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.
It was fought in waters near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from 23–26 October 1944, between combined US and Australian forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy. On 20 October, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from the countries it had occupied in Southeast Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but was repulsed by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleets. The IJN failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force. The majority of its surviving heavy ships, deprived of fuel, remained in their bases for the rest of the Pacific War.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four separate engagements between the opposing forces: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar, as well as other actions.
It was the first battle in which Japanese aircraft carried out organized kamikaze attacks. By the time of the battle, Japan had fewer aircraft than the Allied forces had sea vessels, demonstrating the difference in power of the two sides at this point of the war.
