Stutsman County
enlisted in the Naval Reserve 2 July 1937 and was appointed a Naval Aviator
21 September 1938. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his
outstanding service while commanding a PBY Catalina during a bombing attack on a Japanese naval force in
Jolo Harbor, Sulu, Philippine Islands,27 December 1941. With his plane crippled after splashing an enemy plane ]\
which tried to down him, Deede crash landed at sea where he and his crew could be rescued.
In one of Lieutenant Deede's exploits he landed his plane beside a Japanese plane he had shot down. He obtained valuable information from the pilot. He was congratulated by Admiral Thomas Hart.
Lieutenant Deede was sited for bravery for night flying in the Java sea battle.
He received the silver star at Corregidor
Lieutenant (junior grade) Deede was killed 17 June 1942 in the Asiatic area.
Lt. Deede was buried at the Naval Cemetery on the Hawaiian Islands.
.
The Destroyer Escort USS DEEDE (DE-263) was named in honor of
Lieutenant Leroy Deede and was launched 6 April 1943 by Boston Navy Yard, sponsored by Mrs. Marnie Deede,
mother of Lieutenant Deede, the ship was commissioned 29 July 1943, Lieutenant Commander J. W. Whaley in command.
The USS DEEDE was awarded six battle stars for World War II service.
Leader of the Japanese zeros that
caused Lt. Deede to crash at sea
(but was rescued)
Click on picture to link to site
Lt. Leroy Deede was A paratrooper and served in Holland in WW ll
George Deede died of shrapnel wounds on October 28, 1944.
He is buried in Margraten, Netherlands
Margraten, Netherlands
Click on Picture
for website
He was killed in action June 29. 1966 at the age of 21
Alan was from the Sykeston area and related to
Norman and Virginia Yule
