Thomas M. Dykers

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][unreliable source?]}

Thomas Michael Dykers
Born	(1905-12-03)December 3, 1905 New Orleans, LA
Died	June 13, 1975(1975-06-13) (aged 69) New Orleans, LA
Buried	Cypress Grove Cemetery, New Orleans
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1923–1949 [1]
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	USS S-35 (SS-140)[2][3] USS Jack (SS-259)[4] Submarine Division 282 [5] Submarine Division 104 [5]
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Navy Cross (2) [6] Silver Star Bronze Star[6]
Spouse(s)	Margaret Frances Tydings [6]
Other work	The Silent Service (TV series)

Early life

Dykers was born in 1905 to Reginald and Phoebe Alberta Dykers (née Hall) in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his education 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

After graduating from Annapolis, Dykers served onboard the USS Memphis. In 1930 Dykers had completed a course in chemical warfare and was assigned to the USS Bulmer.^[8] In 1931 Dykers completed a submarine course in New London, Connecticut, and was subsequently assigned to the USS S-15 (SS-120).^[9] In 1934 Dykers completed a submarine commanders course while still assigned to the USS S-15.^[10] In 1935 and 1936 Dykers was assigned to the Georgia School of Technology (now the Georgia Institute of Technology) R.O.T.C. where he completed the Naval War College Correspondence Course.^[11] In 1937 Dykers was assigned to the USS S-25 (SS-130).^[12] In 1938 Dykers took command of the USS S-35 (SS-140).^[13]

World War II

Dykers took command of the USS Jack in 1942, as her first commanding officer. The USS Jack subsequently sank eight Japanese ships, and the Navy highly decorated Dykers for his service.^[6]

Later career

In 1949 Rear Admiral Dykers retired from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and moved to California. There he became a technical advisor for the film industry, aiding in films such as The Flying Missile, Submarine Command, and Torpedo Alley.^[7] He later produced and narrated the 1957–58 TV series The Silent Service.^[7]