Richard F. Breckenridge was born on July 22, 1921.  He enlisted in the Navy prior to the start of World War II and during his Navy career reportedly served aboard seven submarines.  While serving aboard the USS CUTTLEFISH (SS-171) the submarine was on its third war patrol conducting night operations in the archipelago south of Japan when on about August 27, 1942, during a period of poor visibility, a Japanese destroyer loomed out of the dark closing the range rapidly.  CUTTLEFISH turned away to line up for a stern torpedo shot but was spotted by the destroyer which turned to attack.  The Commanding Officer ordered a rapid dive and then QM1 Breckenridge was positioned beneath the upper conning tower hatch which led to the bridge.  His assignment was to pull the hatch shut and tighten it down after the last man came down from the bridge.  However, as Breckenridge pulled the hatch shut he found that the hatch wheel interlock was jammed making it impossible to shut the hatch tightly.  As water gushed in around the lip of the hatch the conning tower started to fill and was ordered to be abandoned.  All personnel except Breckenridge dropped below and the lower conning tower hatch was quickly sealed to avoid flooding the control room.  Breckenridge continued to struggle with the jammed hand wheel until it finally broke free and he was able to secure the hatch shut. 

Although a high percentage of military decorations during World War II to submariners were awarded to officers, heroism by enlisted men was also rewarded and for his heroic action Breckenridge was awarded the Navy Cross on November 27, 1942.  Following his retirement from the Navy he became a resident of Mineral, Washington, where he went on Eternal Patrol on November 9, 2005.  He is buried at the Mineral Cemetery in Mineral.

NAVY CROSS CITATION

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Quartermaster Second Class Richard F. Breckenridge, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while manning his battle station on the USS CUTTLEFISH (SS-171), during the highly successful and aggressive Third War Patrol of that submarine that resulted in the sinking of 29,600 tons of enemy shipping.  On or about 27 August 1942, when the submarine was required to make a quick dive to escape destruction the conning tower hatch wheel jammed, making it impossible to close the hatch.  The Commanding Officer then ordered the conning tower abandoned, all hands except him dropping down into the control room.  With the lower conning tower hatch closed and with water coming through the upper hatch, he coolly remained at his station and by his skill and determination succeeded in freeing the hand-wheel and securing the hatch before flooding of the conning tower reached the floor plates.  By this act of heroism valuable instruments were saved and the submarine was able to continue on a successful patrol.  His courage throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)