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Thomas Michael Dykers, Sr. (December 3, 1905 – June 13, 1975) was a submarine commander during World War II who reached the rank of rear admiral in the United States Navy. He was also a writer and Television producer. He produced and narrated the 1957–58 TV series The Silent Service.[7][8][unreliable source?]
Thomas Michael Dykers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 3, 1905 |
| Died | June 13, 1975 (aged 69) |
| Buried | Cypress Grove Cemetery, New Orleans |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
Branch |  United States Navy |
Service years | 1923–1949 [1] |
Rank |  Rear Admiral |
| Commands | USS S-35[2][3] USS Jack[4] Submarine Division 282 [5] Submarine Division 104 [5] |
Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards |  Navy Cross (2) [6]  Silver Star Bronze Star[6] |
| Spouse | Margaret Frances Tydings [6] |
| Other work | The Silent Service (TV series) |
Early life
editDykers was born in 1905 to Reginald and Phoebe Alberta Dykers (née Hall) in New Orleans, Louisiana. He enrolled at Tulane University, where he became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The following year, he transferred to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated in 1927.[6]
Junior officer
editAfter graduating from Annapolis, Dykers served onboard the USS Memphis. In 1930 he completed a course in chemical warfare and was assigned to the USS Bulmer.[9] In 1931 Dykers completed a submarine course in New London, Connecticut, and was subsequently assigned to the USS S-15.[10] In 1934 Dykers completed a submarine commanders course while still assigned to the USS S-15.[11] In 1935 and 1936 Dykers was assigned to the Georgia School of Technology (now the Georgia Institute of Technology) ROTC, where he completed the Naval War College Correspondence Course.[12] In 1937 Dykers was assigned to the USS S-25 (SS-130).[13] In 1938 Dykers took command of the USS S-35 (SS-140).[14]
World War II
editLater career
editIn 1949 Rear Admiral Dykers retired from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and moved to California.
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There he became a technical advisor for the film industry, aiding in films such as The Flying Missile, Submarine Command, and Torpedo Alley.[8] He later produced and narrated the 1957–58 TV series The Silent Service.[8] The Navy loaned him the USS Sawfish for use in several episodes.[7]
References
edit- ↑ "Service Conducted For Sailor, Writer". Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, Maryland. 17 June 1975. p. 2. Retrieved 21 September 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Submarine Division Commanders". Fleet Organization.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Thomas Michael Dykers '27" (PDF). The Houston Post. 23 September 1975 – via NavSource.
- 1 2 "The Silent Service - Full Cast & Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Thomas M. Dykers". IMDb.
- ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1930.
- ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1932.
- ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1934.
- ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1936.
- ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1937.
- ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1938.