Tyree, Alexander Kelly, CAPT

Alexander K. Tyree, 90, a World War II submarine commander who became a math professor at the University of Mary Washington, died of lung cancer May 10 at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers, Fla. He was a former Fredericksburg resident.

Capt. Tyree was born in Page, W.Va., and grew up in Danville, Va. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1936 and served on the cruiser USS Salt Lake City from 1936 to 1939.

One of the youngest submarine commanders in the Navy during World War II, he commanded three submarines, including the USS Bowfin. The Bowfin was one of nine submarines -- known collectively as "The Hellcats" -- that successfully navigated through the almost impenetrable minefields of the Tsushima Strait. The subs severed Japan's last lifeline with the Asian mainland by destroying what was left of its merchant fleet.

For his achievement, Capt. Tyree was awarded his second Navy Cross. The Bowfin is a national historic landmark at Pearl Harbor.

After his 30-year career in the Navy, which included several duty assignments in Washington, he settled in Fredericksburg and received a master's degree in math education from Duke University in 1967. He taught math at what was then Mary Washington College from 1967 to 1979.

Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Bowfin (SS-287)
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 04004 (May 6, 1945)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Alexander Kelly Tyree (NSN: 0-77217), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BOWFIN (SS-287), on the SEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 25 January 1945 to 25 March 1945, in enemy controlled waters in the Sea of Japan. Courageously attacking all hostile ships contacted with torpedoes and gunfire, Commander Tyree sank a 1,400-ton destroyer and a 1,200-ton sea-truck, assisted in the sinking of a 200-ton picket boat and damaged another picket boat of 250 tons. In addition to this offensive patrol, he carried out lifeguard duties, rescuing two Naval aviators. By his skillful evasive tactics, he avoided enemy countermeasures and brought his vessel safe to port, and his gallant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.