On this day in 1944, the USS Tang, SS-306, an attack submarine was sunk by one of her own torpedoes that malfunctioned and made a circular run. Ironically, it was her last torpedo of the patrol. Nine officers and men, including her captain, survived from her crew of eighty-seven. Most were blown clear from her conning tower by the blast, though two successfully escaped from the forward torpedo room in 180 feet of water in the only use of the Momsen Lung escape device.
The survivors spent the balance of the war in two of the worst Japanese hellholes, Omori and Ofuna, and were never declared Prisoners of War. They were instead designated "hostages," and as such were treated extremely poorly and interogated extensively. Tang's commander, Richard O'Kane, was repeatedly beaten resulting in loss of his front teeth and numerous injuries. When repatriated, he weighed 87 pounds and was near death from multiple infections. Doctors estimated he had only hours to live when they got to him.
In her short service life of one year and nine days, Tang received four battle stars and two Presidential Unit Citations for World War II service. Tang's score of ships sunk through her five patrols was unequaled.* Commander Richard O'Kane, her only captain, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his aggressive attacks in the fifth patrol.
A Cribbage board was presented to O'Kane during the commissioning of the sub's namesake, USS Tang SS-563. When o'Kane died, that board was turned over to Commander of Subs in the Pacific by his widow, Ernestine. As a tribute, the oldest sub in the Pacific fleet carries this cribbage board in its wardroom. It is transferred to the next ship in line as each sub is retired.
Bob
* During the War she was credited with 31 ships totaling 227,800 tons. After the war the JANAC commission on strategic bombing assessment lowered her score to 24 ships, totaling 93,824 tons, placing her second on the list for ships sunk. After further review that figure has been revised to 33 ships totalling 116,454 tons, placing her first for number of ships and tonnage. Tang also retains the best patrol by number of ships sunk, her third, with ten, for 39,100 tons.
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Last edited by Bill Hollinger; 11-18-2015 at 09:01 PM.
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
There's a man that might know........ Bob, we often see a downed airman, now known to be former President Bush, being hauled up on board a submarine after he was spotted alive and afloat in his aircraft liferaft. Name of that submarine.............?
I went on the USS Bowfin at Pearl Harbour 1990 very neat display no good for me but at 193cm hit the noggin a couple of times the engine room was way cool, that was not the real interest what I wanted to see and experience was BB-39 and all I can say it was humbling to see all those names on that great wall and realize they are entombed beneath the water, I must say it was very smoky that day my eyes tended to water............!
Just followed parts 1 to 5 of 'The Crossing' relating how the US Submarines collected up Brit and Oz POW survivors after sinking the transport ships taking them to Japan. (Follow thread 3 video)
If there's something to put on your to-do list before the end of the week, please, I implore you, please, please spend 50 mts looking at this eye opening documentary
Just followed parts 1 to 5 of 'The Crossing' relating how the US Submarines collected up Brit and Oz POW survivors after sinking the transport ships taking them to Japan. (Follow thread 3 video)
If there's something to put on your to-do list before the end of the week, please, I implore you, please, please spend 50 mts looking at this eye opening documentary
Peter, I haven't been able to find that story. I have heard of it through Eugen Fluckey's book Thunder Below, the story of his patrols in the USS Barb. Where might I find that documentary?
Bob
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
Hi Bob, I found it in 5 parts on the thread you highlighted that showed your feature of USS Finback at thread 3. I'm not a computer literate bloke........ can someone help Bob find it - please?
the video above should lead you to the other 4 parts.
what they lived through is so far from my life experiences i can't even begin to comprehend what it must have been like.
i just can't imagine todays western society coping in a total war situation like ww2.
my grandfather was 8th division AIF in singapore but was fairly badly wounded (he was declared a TPI at about 55yo) and left on the last hospital ship before the surrender. every time i hear more about what happened to the guys captured i'm more amazed to have been born.
hellholes, Omori and Ofuna, and were never declared Prisoners of War. They were instead designated "hostages," and as such were treated extremely poorly and interogated extensively. Tang's commander, Richard O'Kane, was repeatedly beaten resulting in loss of his front teeth and numerous injuries. When repatriated, he weighed 87 pounds and was near death from multiple infections. Doctors estimated he had only hours to live when they got to him.
PM
Originally Posted by 
