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  Acknowledgments

  I take this opportunity to express my thanks to the individuals within the Department of the Navy and the submarine forces who supplied documents and records. To Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Lawrence Savadkin, and William Leibold, I am indebted for assistance in obtaining the photographs; to artist Fred Freeman for the basic cutaway submarine drawing; to Tony Mesler for the midship cross-section drawing and end-sheet charts, and to the National Geographic Society for confirming prewar names on the charts.

  In verifying the operations of other submarines, I relied on the authority of Theodore Roscoe’s United States Submarine Operations in World War II and W. J. Holmes’s Undersea Victory. For details of surface ship operations, Samuel Eliot Morison’s impeccable History of United States Naval Operations in World War II answered all questions.

  For Tang’s operations, I thank Murray B. Frazee, Jr., who saved my file of expanded patrol reports, sailing lists, and detailed recommendations for awards to members of the ship’s company; and Floyd Caverly, who supplied additional information. For reviewing the manuscript, I will always be grateful to Mrs. Peggy Grey, author Paul Schubert, and Mrs. Henry Bothfeld.

  Finally, I am deeply indebted to my wife, Ernestine G. O’Kane, for assisting me at many times, and without whose help the completion of this book would have been impossible.

  R. H. O’K.

  Forgive me for writing here to the relatives of all men who served in Tang and especially to the kin of those who sailed on her last patrol:

  As you may know, I attempted to reach some parents and relatives after repatriation and later following final survey to duty in 1946. It was too early and perhaps will ever be so, for no matter how one views the loss of Tang, a thought of Titanic will always be present in a situation wherein the captain returns and shipmates are left behind.

  Believe me, on that fateful night I became physically exhausted in trying to reach my ship and men, then so close ahead. Whence came the strength for the following eight hours to take me to within a stone’s throw of China’s shore will always remain a matter of wonder.

  If your kin’s name is not mentioned in this chronicle, it in no way means that he was not just as important to Tang’s operations as were shipmates whose billets were nearby and whose names thus came to mind. In fact, many of the more remote battle stations require the more resourceful and reliable men, for they are on their own, with no one to advise them or correct a mistake.

  For the following page, therefore, I have compiled a combined sailing list that includes every submariner who served in Tang but who had been detached prior to her last patrol. For the opposite page, I have prepared the final sailing list of old hands and new who fought her through the typhoon and in the Formosa Strait, and who understandably will always have a special place in my thoughts. In later pages you will find the citations from our presidents, one or both of which were awarded to each shipmate who patrolled and were so dearly won by so many.

  As I wrote this chronicle and replotted the courses, all of the time knowing the actual fate awaiting my crew and ship, it became necessary time and again to saddle up my buckskin and ride into the hills so that, upon my return, I might continue with a clear eye. Nothing could compensate for the loss that so many of you have borne. It is my hope, however, that when you have read this true account and perhaps in spirit patrolled with us, you will always think of your kin and Tang with utmost pride, as do I.

  Our Tang’s two Presidential Unit Citations have been passed to her successor, the U.S.S. Tang (SS563), now operating in the Pacific. God willing, may her commission and those to follow continue to guard the peace.

  Respectfully,

  Sebastopol, California

  June, 1977

  Served in U.S.S. Tang Prior to Fifth War Patrol

  Arne I. Anderson MoMM2c

  Bruce H. Anderson Lt

  Ralph C. Anderson S2c

  Raymond J. Aquisti BM2c

  Norman F. Aufdenkamp S1c

  Wilburn Barnett S1c

  Calvin G. Barrick QM3c

  Dallas G. Bowden EM1c

  Marvin E. Breedlove CCS

  Emil W. Brincken FCS1c

  Cleon Bussey Ck2c

  Dante N. Cacciola S1c

  Frank G. Carrisalez S1c

  James D. Cazola MoMM1c

  Paul C. Collins MoMM2c

  Charles R. Conder EM3c

  Ardery J. Cooper EM3c

  James F. Cross TM3c

  Roy H. Crotty CMoMM

  Hal A. Davis EM1c

  Henry W. Dardinski FCS2c

  Carl T. Dilley TM1c

  Clyde R. Dotson, Jr. F3c

  James Flemming S1c

  Murray B. Frazee, Jr. LtCdr

  Thomas P. Gannon RM3c

  Robert B. Gorin TM3c

  Walter H. Hallfarth CEM

  George H. Hanskat EM3c

  Robert L. Harding MoMM2c

  Raymond R. Hardon MoMM2c

  Edward E. Hinson RM1c

  Calvin G. Jancik SC2c

  James R. Johnston SC2c

  Wm. F. Keenan, Jr. MoMM1c

  Herman Kendrick StM2c

  Clifford M. Kirkelie CRM

  Joseph D. Kivlen CEM

  Albert L. Kohlstrom CMoMM

  Charles Kormanik MoMM1c

  James W. Laird EM2c

  Euclid H. Lambert TM3c

  Robert C. Ludy QM2c

  Morton H. Lytle LtCdr

  Robert B. MacDonald CMoMM

  Myron O. Mack, Jr. S1c

  Lester Madison St3c

  Arden?. Markham RT3c

  James F. Marnell TM2c

  Frank Maselli SC2c

  Dalton E. Mathis CMoMM

  Raymond D. McNally Y3c

  Roy J. Miletta RM3c

  Jessie R. Miller TM1c

  James H. Montgomery TM1c

  Franklin Nielsen RT3c

  Earl W. Ogden CSM

  Guy Overby, Jr. MoMM2c

  Charles O. Pucket Ltjg

  Rudolph K. Reidenbach S1c

  Leroy C. Rowell CPhM

  Edward A. Russel CMoMM

  Fred Schroeder, Jr. RM1c

  James W. Scott QM3c

  John J. Sertich S1c

  Donald R. Sharp TM2c

  Everett Shearer, Jr. EM3c

  James G. Smiley MoMM1c

  Joseph L. Sutton StM1c

  Robert Taylor, Jr. StM1c

  William C. Walsh Lt

  Alvin K. Warren SC3c

  Don W. Watje TM2c

  Clement O. Wilson TME2c

  Frederick D. Wixon SC1c

  Harvie E. Young CEM

  John G. Accardy SM3c

  Ralph F. Adams StM1c

  Dwayne D. Allen MoMM2c

  Phillip E. Anderson TM3c

  Charles Andriolo RM2c

  Homer Anthony F1c

  William F. Ballinger CTM

  Edwin C. Bauer Y3c

  Edward H. Beaumont Lt

  Edwin F. Bergman RM1c

  Frederick N. Bisogno TM3c

  Wilfred J. Boucher TM3c

  Bernard V. Bresette QM3c

  John Bush EM2c

  Floyd M. Caverly RT1c

  Benjamin Chiavetta Y3c

  Walter J. Clark QM3c

  Robert J. Coffin EM3c

  James H. Culp CEM

  Arthur J. Darienzo EM2c

  Jesse B. Dasilva MoMM2c

  Clayton O. Decker MoMM3c

  Marvin V. De Lapp CMoMM

  William E. Dorsey MoMM1c

  Fred M. Enos, Jr. Ltjg

  Lawrence H. Ericksen F1c

  Daniel C. Fellicetty Y3c

  Bruce H. Finckbone EM2c

  Henry J. Flanagan Ltjg

  John W. Fluker TM1c

  John M. Foster TM1c

&n
bsp; William C. Galloway TM2c

  Thomas E. Gentle F1c

  George J. Gorab, Jr. EM3c

  Osmer D. Gregg Cox

  Howard W. Hainline QM3c

  Frank G. Harms MoMM2c

  Glen O. Haws MoMM2c

  John F. Henry F1c

  John H. Heubeck Ltjg

  Albert L. Hudson CMoMM

  Homer W. Ijames RM3c

  Stewart S. Imwold MoMM3c

  Donald M. Jenkins Y3c

  Sidney W. Jones CQM

  Louis C. Kaiser MoMM3c

  John T. Kanagy EM1c

  John T. Kassube Cox

  John A. Key SC3c

  Ralph B. Knapp FC3c

  Richard J. Kroth Ltjg

  Leroy R. Lane EM1c

  Paul L. Larson CPhM

  Robert P. Lee RM3c

  William R. Leibold CBM

  Lindley H. Llewellyn RM2c

  Charles W. London F1c

  Chester Loveless EM1c

  Ellroy Lytton MoMM1c

  Robert V. McMorrow MoMM1c

  John J. McNabb F1c

  Pete Narowanski TM3c

  Richard H. O’Kane Comdr

  John J. Parker CCS

  Basil C. Pearce, Jr. Ens

  Rubin M. Raiford Ck2c

  Francis J. Reabuck F1c

  Darrell D. Rector GM3c

  Ernest Reinhardt F1c

  James L. Roberts SC3c

  George L. Robertson MoMM2c

  Lawrence Savadkin Lt

  Seymour G. Smith, Jr. QM3c

  Frank H. Springer Lt

  Edward F. Stepien F1c

  Fred L. Sunday EM3c

  Hayes O. Trukke TM2c

  Paul B. Vaughn, Jr. Cox

  Charles W. Wadsworth TM3c

  Howard M. Walker StM1c

  Leland S. Weekley CTM

  Robert E. Welch QM2c

  James M. White GM1c

  Walter H. Williams Y2c

  Paul T. Wines Ltjg

  George Wukovich MoMM1c

  George Zofcin MoMM1c

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Part I Shakedown

  MARE ISLAND TO PEARL HARBOR

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Photo Insert

  Chapter 3

  Part II First Patrol

  IN THE CAROLINES AND MARIANAS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Part III Second Patrol

  LIFEGUARD AT TRUK

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Photo Insert

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Part IV Third Patrol

  TO THE YELLOW SEA

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Photo Insert

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Part V Fourth Patrol

  OFF THE COAST OF HONSHU

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Part VI Fifth Patrol

  IN THE FORMOSA STRAIT

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  APPENDICES

  GLOSSARY

  Charts*

  Patrol Routes, U.S.S. Tang

  Wake Atoll

  Caroline Islands Adjacent to Western Truk

  Central Marianas

  Palau Islands

  Truk Atoll

  East China Sea

  Yellow Sea

  South Coast Honshu, Kii Suido to Inubo Saki

  Formosa

  Diagrams

  Midship Cross Section

  Cutaway Drawing of Submarine

  Submarine Approach

  Submarine Attack

  * Based on charts prepared by the author

  The Commandant

  requests the honor of your presence

  at the

  Launching of The United States Ship Tang

  at the

  Navy Yard, Mare Island, California

  Tuesday, August 17, 1943

  Ceremonies three thirty-nine p.m. Launch at three fifty-nine p. m.

  —

  Mrs. Antonio S. Pitre, Sponsor

  MIDSHIP CROSS SECTION

  Prologue

  She stood tall and proud, her bullnose a good 30 feet above the ground. Dignitaries had assembled on the christening platform, and launching awaited only the moments of slack between flood and ebb tide. Below, a few of us who would fight and command her mingled with the masters and leading men who had brought the submarine to this moment; all of us would have an active hand in her completion. The shipyard’s whistle sounded; the encased bottle of champagne burst on her stem, drenching the bow, and the sponsors voice was firm and clear: “I christen thee Tang.”

  Tang accelerated down the ways, and her deep, streamlined hull entered the water with little more than a ripple. With snubbing anchors controlling the cradle, our submarine floated clear handsomely.

  Her mission had been established on December 7, 1941, the afternoon of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, by directive of the Chief of Naval Operations:

  EXECUTE UNRESTRICTED AIR AND

  SUBMARINE WARFARE AGAINST JAPAN

  Over a million tons of Japanese shipping had been sent to Davy Jones’s locker since then, but that was only a prelude to the task ahead. Another 5 million tons must follow, or better yet, the enemy must be convinced that sending his ships to sea was futile. It was August 17, 1943, and Tang, now coming alongside the dock, would be the 70th new American submarine to join in the battle.

  She would be my first command, culminating nine consecutive years in combatant ships, for Japanese conquests in East Asia, the sinking of the U.S.S. Panay in China, and early rumblings in Europe had kept me and my contemporaries from the U.S. Naval Academy on continuous sea duty. Mine had commenced with a year in the taut cruiser Chester, followed by over two years under mild and wild skippers in the destroyer Pruitt, the last of the World War I four-pipers. She served as a demanding school in communications, commissary, gunnery, torpedoes, tactics, and in true seamanship. Pruitt also introduced navy life and the separations it can impose to my boyhood chum, Ernestine Groves, who became my wife on June 1, 1936. With the required surface ship duty well behind me, my request brought orders to U.S. Naval Submarine School in January of 1938. Together again and with our infant daughter, Marsha, Ernestine and I were off to New London, Connecticut, and from there, five months later, to Pearl Harbor, where I reported aboard the navy’s largest submarine, Argonaut.

  Argonaut was a monster, a continuous challenge, with 12 torpedoes forward, 78 mines aft, and mounting two 6-inch guns that could hurl hundred-pound projectiles nearly 20 miles. Fortunately, my billets closely paralleled those in Pruitt, and knowing my way in their requirements gave me that much more time to learn my ship for qualification in submarines. The required year passed, and the board of two skippers p
ut me through my paces during a grueling day in port and another at sea; but they signed the certification, and I wore the submariner’s twin dolphins.

  In September, 1939, all operations at Pearl took on a most serious air with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s proclamation of Limited Emergency. Our son, James, was born the same month. Major units of the Pacific Fleet arrived in 1940, and commencing in the fall of 1941, available submarines quietly departed on patrol with their torpedo tube outer doors open for firing. My qualification for command was approved, and my promotion to lieutenant came by dispatch prior to Thanksgiving, when Argonaut departed Pearl to patrol south of Midway. A skirmish with two Japanese destroyers on the night of Pearl Harbor was our only action with the enemy; but Argonaut’s lack of air conditioning coupled with our required all-day dives resulted in ever increasing humidity and attendant electrical grounds, and fighting the ensuing small fires became almost routine. Nearly half her major machinery became inoperative, but that did not stop Argonaut from carrying out her mission to defend Midway. Little did we know, until reaching Pearl Harbor on January 22, 1942, that she had been the only ship available to oppose an expected assault. We found our families fine but all waiting on two hours’ notice for evacuation from the Islands. Waiting also were my orders to report as executive officer of Wahoo, under construction at Mare Island Navy Yard, up the bay from San Francisco, which was Argonaut’s destination for some modernization. Most fortunately, this provided me the opportunity to settle my family nearby.

  I had loved my last ship, but it did not take long to transfer my affections. Of half the displacement and with twice the power, Wahoo would have twice Argonaut’s speed and maneuverability. Further, she would carry 24 instead of 12 torpedoes and had ten instead of four tubes to launch them. To me, the living spaces seemed more like a streamlined trains than a submarine’s. The control room and the conning tower each sported a radar, and in the conning tower was a torpedo data computer, too; all this equipment was new to me. Needed only was a ship’s company to match, but already a sharp nucleus of officers and petty officers who were qualified in submarines had assembled, and a few of them had patrol experience. Together we instructed the new hands. Our captain was meticulous and enjoyed an excellent reputation in torpedo fire control. He trained his ship thoroughly, and all seemed to augur well for Wahoo.