LeRoy Clifford Deede

Who was LeRoy Clifford Deede?

LeRoy Clifford Deede was a United States Naval Reserve officer.

Deede enlisted in the Naval Reserve on 2 July 1937 and was appointed a Naval Aviator 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, Philippines, 27 December 1941. With his plane crippled after destroying an enemy plane which tried to down him, Deede crash landed at sea where he and his crew could be rescued. Lieutenant Deede was killed 17 June 1942 in the Asiatic area.