John Mihalowski

Hazardous dives during the USS Squalus rescue

John Mihalowski was a torpedoman first class with the submarine rescue and salvage unit aboard USS Falcon. Following the sinking of USS Squalus off New Hampshire on May 23, 1939, he helped crew the rescue chamber on its final, dangerous descent to search the flooded aft section for survivors. He also performed difficult dives during the salvage operations.

His work earned the Medal of Honor, presented by Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison in January 1940. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on August 12, 1910, Mihalowski later became a lieutenant commander. He died in Largo, Florida, on October 29, 1993, and was buried at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park.

Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. Mihalowski, as a member of the rescue chamber crew, made the last extremely hazardous trip of the rescue chamber to attempt the rescue of any possible survivors in the flooded afterportion of the Squalus. He was fully aware of the great danger involved, in that, if he and the other member of the crew became incapacitated, there was no way in which either could be rescued. During the salvage operations Mihalowski made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions. His outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.