Editing Samuel David Dealey (section)

==Early life and career==
Sam Dealey was born on September 13, 1906, in [[Dallas]], Texas. His mother moved the family temporarily to [[Santa Monica]], California, following his father's death in 1912, returning in time for Sam Dealey to graduate high school in Dallas. He was appointed to the [[U.S. Naval Academy]] at [[Annapolis, Maryland]], from Texas and graduated in June 1930. Dealey was commissioned an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] and reported for sea duty aboard the [[battleship]] {{USS|Nevada|BB-36|6}}, where he was promoted in June 1933 to [[lieutenant (junior grade)]]. In March 1934, he briefly transferred to the [[destroyer]] {{USS|Rathburne|DD-113|6}}, then reported that summer for [[submarine]] training at the Submarine School, [[New London, Connecticut]]. After graduating, he served on board the submarines {{USS|S-34|SS-139|6}} and {{USS|S-24|SS-129|6}}. Remaining on sea duty, he reported on board {{USS|Nautilus|SS-168|6}} then {{USS|Bass|SS-164|6}}.<ref name=People>US People</ref>

In May 1937, he was assigned as an aide to the [[executive officer]] at [[Naval Air Station Pensacola|Naval Air Station, Pensacola]], Florida (NAS Pensacola). While there, in June 1938, he was promoted to [[Lieutenant (navy)|lieutenant]]. In the summer of 1939, he was assigned as the executive officer (first officer) on board the destroyer {{USS|Reuben James|DD-245|6}}. In April 1941, he reported to Experimental Division One for duty as the [[prospective commanding officer]] (PCO) of {{USS|S-20|SS-125|6}} to support at-sea experiments off New London. He commanded ''S-20'' for two years, serving aboard at the United States' entry into World War II.<ref name=People/>