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	42k	LeRoy Clifford Deede was born on 5 February 1916 in Woodworth, N.D., to Mr. Gottlieb and Mrs. Marnie Deede in Stutaman County. LeRoy attended Medina High school and then earned his degree at Jamestown College majoring in Biology. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve as an Aviation Cadet on 2 July 1937 in Minneapolis, Minn. to begin Elimination Flight Training. Having completed his initial training he received orders on 6 October 1937 to Pensacola Naval Air Station. He completed his advanced flight training as a Naval Aviator on 21 September 1938. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his outstanding service while commanding a PBY 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. Lieutenant (junior grade) Deede was killed 17 June 1942 returning to Bankstown Aerodrome in Sydney, Australia during an authorized flight. He was buried at Rockwood Cemetery in Sydney. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 June 1942 by a law enacted by President Roosevelt. His awards also included the Silver Star (Army); American Defense Service Medal; and World War II Victory Medal. Distinguished Flying Cross: "For extraordinary flying achievement while commanding a PBY type airplane which delivered a bombing attack on a Japanese Naval force in Jolo Harbor, Sulu, P.I. on 27 December 1941, and while under continuous antiaircraft fire which crippled your plane and opposed by enemy fighters, you successfully evaded the enemy and landed your plane at sea from which you and the members of your crew were rescued by another PBY type; further successfully shooting down an enemy fighter which attacked you". The medal was posthumously awarded to his mother on 17 July 1942 by then Governor John Moses. USS Deede (DE263) was the first ship to be named in his honor.            (Photo Courtesy of Jamestown College)		Bill Gonyo
	57k	21 May 1945: San Francisco CA - USS Deede at Mare Island Navy Yard. (U.S. Navy Photo)		-
	266k	6 December 1945: San Francisco CA - Crew photo (covered) of USS Deede at Mare Island Navy Yard. (David's father-in-law, George Donald Kirby, who was known as Don, was a cook aboard Deede)		David Hicks
	277k	6 December 1945: San Francisco CA - Crew photo (uncovered) of USS Deede.

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