Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats
Charles M. Dake, Jr.
Merchant Marine. American
| Born | 1918 | ||
| Died | 14 Jun 1982 | (64) |
|
Roster information listed for Charles M. Dake, Jr.
| Ship | Type | Rank / role | Attacked on | Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Scottsburg | Steam merchant | Ordinary Seaman | 15 Jun 1942 | U-502 |
| Kahuku | Steam merchant | Shipwrecked | 16 Jun 1942 | U-126 |
Personal information
of Overland Park KS
Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal Award Citation:
For heroism beyond the line of duty.
When the Scottsburg was torpedoed and sunk within a few minutes, Ordinary Seaman Dake, single-handedly launched No. 3 lifeboat, took command and picked up twelve shipmates. Rescued shortly thereafter by another ship in the same convoy, their rescue ship was in turn torpedoed one hour later. As this second vessel went down, Dake, being unable to launch a damaged lifeboat dived into the sea, swam alongside a shipmate, who was an inexpert swimmer, and encouraged him until both safely reached a raft.
On a subsequent voyage while serving as boatswain on the George Davis, his vessel collided in convoy with another ship which sank shortly thereafter. Dake, seeing one of the gun crew from the sunken vessel struggling in the heavy sea, unhesitatingly went down the side on a cargo net and rescued him. Later he saw another drowning seaman, too weak to catch a life line, and again went over the side and succeeded in getting him on to a lowered raft and then safely aboard the ship.
His extraordinary courage and expert seamanship in the face of danger saved many lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
When the Scottsburg was torpedoed and sunk within a few minutes, Ordinary Seaman Dake, single-handedly launched No. 3 lifeboat, took command and picked up twelve shipmates. Rescued shortly thereafter by another ship in the same convoy, their rescue ship was in turn torpedoed one hour later. As this second vessel went down, Dake, being unable to launch a damaged lifeboat dived into the sea, swam alongside a shipmate, who was an inexpert swimmer, and encouraged him until both safely reached a raft.
On a subsequent voyage while serving as boatswain on the George Davis, his vessel collided in convoy with another ship which sank shortly thereafter. Dake, seeing one of the gun crew from the sunken vessel struggling in the heavy sea, unhesitatingly went down the side on a cargo net and rescued him. Later he saw another drowning seaman, too weak to catch a life line, and again went over the side and succeeded in getting him on to a lowered raft and then safely aboard the ship.
His extraordinary courage and expert seamanship in the face of danger saved many lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.