Hiram Delbert Hatfield
Lieutenant (Junior Grade), U.S. Navy

At the time of his death, LTJG Hatfield was serving as a Sounder Operator in the submarine USS Harder (SS-257) off Caiman Point near Bataan, RPI. On 24 August 1944 the Harder was sunk with her entire crew during a depth charge attack by the Japanese warship Kaibokan (CD-22).

The Harder's skipper, Commander Samuel D. Dealey, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and USS Harder (SS-257), received the Presidential Unit Citation.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Hiram Delbert Hatfield, United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for gallantry in action while serving as Sounder Operator aboard the United States Submarine U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257) during war patrols in enemy-controlled waters during World War II.

General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945)

Memorialization

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Hiram Delbert Hatfield's name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Metro Manila, National Capital, Philippines.