World War II Honoree

Richard Hetherington O’Kane

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Dover, New Hampshire

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

He was a U.S. Navy submarine commander, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for commanding the USS Tang in the Pacific War against Japan. He received three Navy Crosses and three Silver Stars, for a total of seven awards of the U.S. military’s three highest decorations for valor in combat. Before commanding Tang, he served in USS Wahoo as executive officer and approach officer. In his ten combat patrols, five in Wahoo and five commanding Tang, he participated in more successful attacks on Japanese shipping than any other submarine officer during the war.