Mercersburg's Last-surviving Medal of Honor Recipient Laid to Rest

Rear Admiral Eugene Bennett Fluckey '30, was inurned with full military honors at the United States Naval Academy on August 28, following a funeral service at the USNA Chapel.  For his service as a submarine commander during World War II, he had been awarded an unparalleled four Navy Crosses, as well as the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Among the achievements of Fluckey and his crew aboard the U.S.S. Barb: more Japanese tonnage destroyed than any other submarine in the Pacific Theater; the only invasion of the Japanese mainland by U.S. troops, when Fluckey sent ashore a squad that blew up a trainload of war supplies; the first ballistic missiles to be fired by a submarine in wartime.  He went on to have a distinguished military career, being promoted to Admiral in 1960 and retiring in 1972.  His proudest achievement in retirement was leading the fundraising campaign for the new Navy-Marine Corps Football Stadium at his beloved alma mater.

Head of School Doug Hale, Development Director Emeritus Don Hill, Retired Dean of Students Tim Rockwell, and retired English and history master Phil Post represented Mercersburg at Admiral Fluckey's service.  Post's late father was a friend and contemporary of Fluckey's and also a Pacific Fleet submarine commander of considerable renown in World War II.

More about Rear Admiral Eugene Bennett Fluckey ’30.