The
late Rear Admiral Walter DEDRICK, USN, was born in Billings Montana, on
September 28,1921, son of Mr. & Mrs. Warren A. DEDRICK. After one and a half
years at the University of California at Berkeley, he entered the U. S. Naval
Academy in 1941 and was commissioned Ensign in 1944. He attained the rank of
RADM (LH) in 1971, and received his second star (UH) in 1973.
Admiral DEDRICK first served aboard the USS WILLIAM D. PORTER (DD-579),
participating in the Leyte Gulf, Mindoro, Lingayen, Kerrama Rhetto, and
Okinawa campaigns. Upon completion of Submarine School in 1945, Admiral
DEDRICK reported aboard the USS CUSK (SS-348), the Navy's first Guided Missile
Submarine, where he served for four years. After attending the Navy
Electronics Course at Treasure Island, Admiral DEDRICK served a short tour
aboard the USS CARP (SS-338) prior to attending the Naval Post Graduate School
at Monterey, CA, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received a
Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, and a Master of Science degree in
Ordnance Fire Control Engineering. While at MIT, he was elected to the Sigma
XI honor fraternity.
During the period June 1953 to April 1957 Admiral DEDRICK served as Executive
Officer of the guided missile submarine CUSK, and as Commanding Officer of the
guided missile submarine TUNNY (SSG-282) - operating out of Point Mugu in the
Regulus program.
In May 1957, he reported to the Naval
Reactors Branch of the Atomic Energy Commission where he served under Vice
Admiral H. G. RICKOVER, USN, as a special assistant on submarine matters.
After almost two years of instruction in the theoretical and practical aspects
of nuclear power, he was ordered as the Prospective Commanding Officer of
USS HALIBUT (SSG(N)587), the first nuclear powered, guided missile
(Regulus) submarine.
After the HALIBUT was commissioned, Admiral DEDRICK served as her
Commanding Officer until July 1961, when he was detached from the HALIBUT in
order to attend the Polaris Command Course in preparation for duty as
Commanding Officer(GOLD) of the nuclear powered Polaris submarine,
USS THOMAS A. EDISON (SSBN-610). He reported to USS THOMAS A. EDISON for
duty in October 1961.
For his service during and after World War II, Admiral
DEDRICK was awarded the American Medal, the American Defense Medal, the
Asiatic-Pacific Medal with three stars, the WWII Victory Medal, and the
Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars.
For his duty in HALIBUT he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.
RADM (UH) DEDRICK retired in 1975.
He died two years later,
on 28 September 1977 - his birthday.
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