caption branch death_date allegiance battles birth_date image article_title name
francis a. dales during world war 2 u.s. merchant marine 29 march 2003 united states united states operation pedestal , second world war december 3 , 1923 francis a dales.jpg francis a. dales
 francis a. dales
francis a. dales

francis a. dales -lrb- december 3 , 1923 -- march 29 , 2003 -rrb- was a cadet midshipman in the u.s. merchant marine academy who served on the freighter ss `` santa elisa '' , and subsequently the tanker ss `` ohio '' , during operation pedestal , a convoy to the besieged island of malta in the second world war .
for his actions defending the convoy , considered one of the most important british strategic victories of the war , he was awarded the merchant marine distinguished service medal .
