As a 19-Year-Old He Never Lettered in a Sport

 

My late father enlisted in the Navy as a 17-year-old during WWII. Shortly before his 18th birthday, he completed Submarine School. Fifty percent of the candidates that entered Submarine School failed to graduate. When WWII ended, he was 19 years old.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy’s submarine service suffered the highest casualty percentage of all the American armed forces, losing one in five submariners. Some 16,000 submariners served during the war, of whom 375 officers and 3,131 enlisted men were killed, the highest casualty rate of any American force in World War II.

Submarines in the United States Navy made up less than 2% of the fleet but were responsible for sinking 540,192 tons, or 30% of the Japanese Navy and 4,779,902 tons of shipping, or 54.6% of all Japanese shipping in the Pacific Theater. American submarines sank over 30% of Japan’s Navy, including eight aircraft carriers, and contributed to the virtual strangling of the Japanese economy by sinking almost 5 million tons of shipping.

Although my dad never earned a letterman’s jacket, he did earn some ribbons. His Presidential Unit Citation ribbon has one star indicating two Presidential Unit Citations. His Asia Pacific Campaign Ribbon has four battle stars. His Submarine Combat Pin has three gold stars indicating four successful war patrols.

He wasn’t the only 18-year-old that has served this nation, and his isn’t the only generation that has served our nation. We should remember and honor all of those who did and did not come home.

Published in Military
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  1. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    I am ever so grateful to men like your dad, Doug. I had no idea how impactful the submarines were! Thanks.

    • #1
  2. iWe Coolidge
    iWe
    @iWe

    Doug Watt: During World War II, the U.S. Navy’s submarine service suffered the highest casualty percentage of all the American armed forces, losing one in five submariners. Some 16,000 submariners served during the war, of whom 375 officers and 3,131 enlisted men were killed, the highest casualty rate of any American force in World War II.

    Not to quibble, because every life is precious. But I think glider pilots had a very similar casualty rate. There were some extremely dangerous ways to serve the country.

    We honor their memory.

    • #2
  3. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Love the WWII stuff. Heard another one yesterday.  Dad a Marine Corps transport pilot. Several horrible campaigns, Pelileu and Iwo Jima being the worst. And he had lettered in tennis in junior college while taking civilian pilot training. Was thankful the Army didn’t grab him and make him a B-17 pilot; like my sister’s father in law.  He lived until he was 95. 

    Yesterday gabbing with my son and his Chinese fiance, a U.S. resident for 15 years,  over Sonoma wine about their planned wedding in China in November.  Just back from 3 weeks meeting the clan and planning a big gala. One of the fiance’s great uncles was a Chinese Tiger pilot under General Stillwell in WWII. Went ape when the son told him about his granddad fighting the Japanese and insists he brings his grandfather’s  flight logs with him when he comes for the wedding. Which he will do. I guess China was our ally then. 

    • #3
  4. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Love the WWII stuff. Heard another one yesterday. Dad a Marine Corps transport pilot. Several horrible campaigns, Pelileu and Iwo Jima being the worst. And he had lettered in tennis in junior college while taking civilian pilot training. Was thankful the Army didn’t grab him and make him a B-17 pilot; like my sister’s father in law. He lived until he was 95.

    Yesterday gabbing with my son and his Chinese fiance, a U.S. resident for 15 years, over Sonoma wine about their planned wedding in China in November. Just back from 3 weeks meeting the clan and planning a big gala. One of the fiance’s great uncles was a Chinese Tiger pilot under General Stillwell in WWII. Went ape when the son told him about his granddad fighting the Japanese and insists he brings his grandfather’s flight logs with him when he comes for the wedding. Which he will do. I guess China was our ally then.

    A friend in CA was a 1st generation Chinese. Her father was an IBM brainiac given priority immigration status after WWII. He and his wife to be were among those who helped American pilots who were shot down in China after raids. The wife’s wedding gown was made from a pilot’s parachute. She wasn’t the only parachute bride. One of his pithy sayings was “Know who packed your parachute.” He was a real brainiac and a funny guy. 

    • #4
  5. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Slight error. Was the Flying Tigers under Chennault.  Pappy Boyington and American pilots. The grand uncle flew support planes, i.e. to locate and rescue down pilots. 

    • #5
  6. Brian J Bergs Coolidge
    Brian J Bergs
    @BrianBergs

    In Minnesota there is an obscure little memorial in St. Paul’s Como Park to all submariners, especially those of the USS Swordfish.  I bumped into it last fall.  It doesn’t look like it is visited too often.  These are precious memorials to the servicemen and women who have given their lives to allow us to live in freedom.  God bless all of their memories.

    THE U.S SUBMARINE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II MINNESOTA VIKINGS SQUADRON
    PROUDLY DEDICATE THIS MEMORIAL TO THE VALIANT MEN OF THE U.S.S. SWORDFISH SS193
    SUNK BY ENEMY ACTION ON HER 13TH WAR PATROL ON JANUARY 12, 1945
    AFTER SINKING 12 ENEMY SHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 47,926 TONS

    https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMJBDB_USS_Swordfish_St_Paul_MN

     

    • #6
  7. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Here’s a short video of Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ycDINNZHBw

    Update:

    I should add that as an officer, we underwent the same training.  Also, they videotape every damage control trainer session, and the students review their performance afterward with the instructor.  When we saw our session, we laughed so hard, the instructor could barely talk because he was laughing too . . .

    • #7
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