Thomas B. Klakring’s THIRD Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to

Thomas Burton Klakring

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, United States Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS-217), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 2 January 1943 to 15 February 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Southwest Pacific. After skillfully maneuvering his ship into striking position, Lieutenant Commander Klakring daringly attacked and sank two Japanese destroyers and one large cargo vessel. His expert seamanship and indomitable fighting spirit during extremely hazardous missions when the GUARDFISH was particularly vulnerable enabled him in every instance to extricate his ship from her perilous situation. The illustrious combat record of the GUARDFISH, her officers and men under Lieutenant Commander Klakring sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.