Left Pearl Harbor March 19 1945.

Arrived at Saipan. Tied up alongside USS Fulton anchored In harbor.

Marking time waiting on Admiral Lockwood's return from conference at Guam with Nimitz.

Made a beer party to island of S. this afternoon. Four cans of beer Beverwych. Drank It between two Jap pillboxes which had caught a Yank Amtrack in converging fire on D-Day. This "floating tank" was just what the name painted on its side stated - "Sad Sack." It got to the beach - just!

I noted with interest that Japs, in frantic haste to prevent Yanks landing, had evidently torn up fixed guns from the hills and set them up right on sandy beaches. They obviously would have to pick them up and reset them after each round. I don't recall reading of this in accounts of battle.

It was odd to know at 1100 in the morning that B-29's were going to hit Nagoya that night. Sure enough, next day we heard via KSFG San Francisco that they had struck with incendiaries. Oh! yes! We knew they were to carry them.

Met a soldier in engineers - name of Al, from San F. Has a cousin who is member of crew. Came aboard, and I showed him through the boat explaining as we went, how we were able to dive and surface. When I showed him the torpedo tubes and told in brief how we fire fish he displayed the usual layman's awe and bewilderment at the maize of pipes and valves strung between, above, and around the tubes. I wonder why?

Al told us his outfit would invade Okinawa Jima on or just prior to April 1. Dogfaces keep no secrets! We couldn't tell him (silent services you know,) but we were there on a special mission over Christmas and New Year's. Took pictures and plotted minefields. On completion of mission (61 days) we returned to Pearl Harbor to receive the plaudits of Admiral Brown (and to get an 18-day rest at the Royal Hawaiian.) The Ad (I always call him Ad) in a short address to officers and crew, told us that the 8th patrol was of greater value to the U.S. than the preceding seven combined. Whew! In seven runs the boat has 17 ships sunk totaling 90-odd thousands and 13 damaged totaling 1,109,000 tons. If the last run was valuable enough to over shadow this record, then what we did must have been pretty important. Brown also said that what we had accomplished would save many American lives. From all this we figured an invasion was near at hand. We didn't know when. I wonder if Al has straight dope.

Admiral came aboard the "T". He was wearing knee-length

khakis which did not enhance his appearance. There can be little dignity when knobby knees and spindly legs are on display.

There was a great to-do and hubbub when the rumor that the Admiral would accompany us on two or three days trials, spread through the boat. Some even went so far as to say we'd have to wear whites while he was aboard. He won our hearts however; Commander Latham, our skipper, said it was the Admiral's desire that the crew dress and act as usual. We knew that would never do; so we changed our crummy dungarees for slightly cleaner ones and acted with decorum. I don't suppose he was aware of this, however it was a nice gesture on his part and we rose to the situation. We were nice, too!

It was strange to see fellows who ordinarily are blunt and direct in manners though a little crude, make an abrupt about-face and present a polished facade. In the Admiral's presence they were very polite. Instead of saying, "For Christ's sake, get the hell out of my way, " they would now tap softly on the shoulder and in the "Grande" and best Joseph Kennedy-at-the-Court of St. James-manner, murmur politely, "Pardon me, may I pass?" Submarine protocol. Tch! Tch!

We put to sea just prior to 1200 to demonstrate to the Admiral this new, piece of gear referred to only as the "unmentionable." It is super secret. We were the first submarine to use it and it has limitless possibilities - but only for war. It is risky business as we found out at Okinawa Jima and Iwo Jima last patrol. This noon, at lunch, Murphy, ship's cook 1/c apologized for serving ham (generally reserved for the end of a run when we get low on fresh meats,) but explained that when asked by the skipper what he would like for lunch, the Admiral expressed a desire for ham! Probably, tired of steaks, pheasant, Saipan grouse, leg of lamb, and roast beef. His palate shrieked for so plebeian a dish as ham and cabbage. We were all tempted to go into the "Joint next door," but being 20 miles at sea we didn't, and ate ham and cabbage.

Came in at night to deliver the Admiral safe and sound. A routine, humdrum existence but we don't mind. We aren't getting shot at!

It was March 17^th.

"Aha! Murphy," I said, the Top o' the Mornin' to ye."

"Sure, and the rist of the day to yerself, says he.

Thus we usher in the day. Yes, it's Saint Paddy's Day, but to us it's more, than that, it' s the day we leave for patrol. The new men are chattering among themselves buoyed up and expectant. We know what we can expect so are just a little cynical. We station the maneuvering watch and prepare to get underway. Last minute, handshakes from those men who were transferred grunting "Thanks" in reply to their "Good luck and happy hunting. "The usual amount of good natured kidding. We yell over at them, "We'll fight the way - you buy War Bonds" and "You'll rot in the relief crew."

Our Diesels have been running for ten or fifteen minutes, are sufficiently warmed up and "Doc" Garner relays from the Captain, "Cast off all lines." We are on our way.

We are running on the surface, but diving on all plane (aircraft) contacts. From time to time we pick up an indication on the SD Radar and when the range narrows to six, miles, down we go! We run submerged approximately a half hour and then come up for a look through the scope at 62 feet. "All clear," then up to 47 feet, "Raise the SD mast, turn on the SD." No indication. "Surface alarm. All ahead full, on four main engines."

We charged batteries in the torpedoes every six days; which is routine. We probably won't use them at all where we are going. Another special mission!

Near the island of Yokoate (Jima.), in an island group called Ryukyu's. It's just a rock. Can't afford to be seen, so we submerge. We must pass through a narrow strait between two Jimas. If we are spotted, they'll patrol the straits and make it tough for us.

Our bow planes crapped out on us this morning. What a break! During a depth charge attack we'll need all the skill at our command. It is hard enough to maintain our control of depth with all the equipment science has placed at our disposal but the bow planes have 80% of the control. Tonight, upon surfacing, my old dinkie die cobber, Warner Cross, Motor Machinist Mate, will be able to climb through the superstructure topside and find out what is wrong. He's a damn good man and he'll fix it if anyone can!

We haven't been looking through the scope because the water is quite calm and very clear. At a depth of 65 feet we would be clearly visible to a plane flying overhead. The water is about 200 feet deep so we can cruise at 150' nicely. I had the watch in the after torpedo room sitting in a camp chair reading Esquire. Everyone else was asleep back there. CHUMP'. BUMP! My God! What's that! Everyone woke up and I lurched out of the chair and ran to the bulkhead door ready to seal off the compartment. It felt as though we were rammed or rammed something. The boat bounced again and shuddered. No explosion! What the hell! Then the word. "We ran aground. All back full".

The Captain had dashed to the conning tower when we hit the first time and now he raised the scope. The word came down, "We are 400 yards off the beach of Yokoate Jima." So close that he cannot see the top of the island. The captain asked for the Kodak and took moving pictures as long as we were that close.

The current evidently was much stronger than the navigator figured. He has lost face with the crew, but as yet, hasn't committed hari-kari. We backed down and pulled away from there without being detected and got through the straits with no trouble at all. Funny isn' it? We were worried about patrol craft in the straits when our real danger lay in our own mistakes. Submarine warfare - never a dull moment - always the unexpected happening.

We know for certain what we shall do for Uncle Sam (and Admiral Lockwood) during this patrol. Chart a mine field - again! Most of us breathed a grateful sigh when the last run was over. We knew just how nerve-wracking this, kind of work gets. The mine field we are heading into is probably the most extensive in the world. It is 80 miles wide by 400 miles long running north from a point off the northern mouth of Formosa Straits to within a few hundred miles off southern Kyushu, a main island of Japan. It has been In existence since 1941, augmented from time to time. It affords ideal protection for Jap convoys plying between Japan and Formosa and Chinese coastal cities within the Formosa Straits. Until now, no American craft has been within its confines. It is a singular distinction for us.

Warner Cross worked on the bow plane rigging all night, both nights since the breakdown. Although they are not fixed, he has not given up on them. For eight to ten hours a night he was partly submerged in water, all the while working at dismantling the gearing. It is pretty cold; too - water temperature has been 60-65- and a stiff breeze blowing.

We shot at several drifting mines the next day. Sunk them with 20 mm fire. They did not explode. We merely hit the buoyant compartment, and sea water displaced the air, and they sank. Simple, isn't it?

We travel very slowly while on the surface making good five knots. When a mine is contacted it is from 150 to 250 feet away - usually off either bow, and necessitates immediate action to avoid it. Upon getting the word (range and bearing) the officer of the deck orders right or left full rudder, and port or starboard ahead full. We then pass the mine safely - we hope! They usually are about 15 feet below the surface , therefore, cannot be seen from the bridge. An eerie feeling indeed to know that somewhere about 50 feet away is a tool of destruction which would have done us in if we hit it, and we can't even see the damn things.

A plane (Jap) was sighted, and we dove before he saw us. On the way down a mine was indicated at 100 feet away. We had to keep going down, yet were not sure if we had distance enough to veer out of the way of the mine. We did.

A bit of scuttlebutt floated through the boat. We may possibly make a contact today or tonight! I hope so. Evidently we have permission during this patrol to accept engagements with enemy convoys. Last run we saw two ships but were prevented from making an attack until mission was completed. When mission was completed, we returned to Pearl. There was no contact!

The mine detecting gear broke down. Cannot be depended upon if fixed with what we have to work on. It has been operating. 24 hours a day since we entered mine field. It did a good job. The faith we place in it is evidenced by the expressions on the faces of the crew and officers. We are still about ten miles into the minefield, are on our way out - solely on luck.

While up in the mess, one must be careful not to drop dishes or bang pans noisily for the effect is calamitous on anyone who is close at hand. I prevented a fight while there. One man turned on the faucet with such ferocity that It gurgled water loudly. The offended told the offender to be more careful. He thought we'd sprang a leak. The other, a new and very green man -said, "For Christ's sake, quit play acting, you'll drive us all nuts." With that, they started for each other. No blows were struck, but they don't like each other. The new man probably will get transferred. What a life!

Well, we made It! My God did we sweat that one out! Frankly, we are a washed-out looking crew, limp as dishrags, weak as cats, but a good eight hours sleep will do wonders for us. No one, I don't see how anyway, has had more than a couple of hours sleep, in the last 60 odd.

We are on our way up to Nagasaki for normal patrol. We are all happy about it, save those of us who were up here once before in June-July, 1944.

Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong! It's the general alarm calling all hands to battle stations. I was in the after fish house when this started, so had no idea what was up there. We checked valves etc. on the tubes, built up impulse air. Everything in perfect readiness. This done, I went into the maneuvering room to relieve myself. Peculiar, this effect produced by going to battle stations. I've noticed it every time since I came aboard. I'm not the only one who takes a nervous pee" so I suppose it's a normal nervous reaction. When I came back, I found that the scuttlebutt had a battle wagon and a cruiser as our targets. Wow! If that's so, there'll be big doings in Tokyo tonight because we'll sure as hell get one of them!

As we close the range and time wore on our nerves, our anxiety became more stressing. "Why in hell don't they put out the dope?" Finally, the Captain spoke. "The twenty and forty mm and 50 cal. gun crews lay up to con. Battle Surface!" It was then we knew it was a small target. Very small for they did not call us (5" deck gun crew) up.

One has to witness a battle surface to appreciate it, and then actually participating, is so much better. We surfaced. The gun crews flew up the conning tower hatch and poured out onto the bridge. The target was a lifeboat. We did not fire. We took two prisoners aboard and barreled away on four main engines. Why the skipper let the other 15 or 16 bastards go, is more than I can fathom. When last seen they were pulling mightily for the China coast. They will be picked up, I think as we are only 80 miles off the coast.

One of the POW's was sent to each tube room so here we are with a prisoner to guard for the next 45 days. He is shackled to a torpedo skid which has a torpedo in it. Gross weight - 5,000 pounds, so I hardly think he'll go very far. His pallet consists of a piece of canvas and a blanket on deck. Not very comfortable, but a damn sight better than the lifeboat.

Before orders regarding the handling of prisoners were put out, I had quite a time trying to make him understand my questions. It went something like this. Pointing to myself, I would say, "Ben-ny, Ben-ny." He was quick to pick it up and said, "Ben-ny, Ben-ny" after me. Then I'd point to him with one hand cupping my ear with the other and lean toward him as If straining to hear. Shortly he caught on and said something that sounded like. "Hommy Oka" to my definitely untrained ear. I took this to be his Shinto name though it may very well mean, "I don't understand," or even, "You're crazy." He lived in Toyama, is 23 years old, was torpedoed enroute to Okinawa Jima with marine reinforcements. Toyama Is on Honchu. He looks 16. A plane launched the torpedo. The marines never did get to Okinawa.

There was more questioning mostly in pantomime, and more answers accompanied by pre-Pearl Harbor smiles. Those that require much showing of teeth. When the above-mentioned orders came out, it sort of cramped my style, as from then on there could be no more questions.

Doc Garner shaved the prisoner's head and privates and sprinkled insecticide powder lavishly and indiscriminately. He then prescribed a rigid diet which we must see is adhered too. The POW had been adrift in an open boat for nine days, had not eaten in five. He was permitted about two ounces of tepid water at four in the afternoon and then fed a small to moderate ration at eight in the evening. A significant scene: After being without food for five days and seeing some placed before him, he bowed his head over folded hands in prayer before eating. Shintoism must exert a powerful influence over these people's conduct. Come to think of it, it was a damned short prayer! He has not said Grace since then - just "Ho Kay" with that infernal grinning. He is served one meal a day, is allowed one smoke directly after.

Prisoner, of course, is the center of attraction. I think every one in the crew has seen him and the compartment has been very crowded. I have been aware of someone watching me, and just now caught "Hommy's" eyes and held them. He motioned with his hands to his face that he was quite taken by my red beard. Such Idolatry! I wonder if I can handle it gracefully?

Mr. Oleson, one of our junior officers is quite shocked by my attitude toward the Jap. Mr. Oleson told me they thought both Japs to be officers and if so, they probably understood English, and we should be careful what is said in their presence. He said, too, that they might even be able to speak it. I suggested then that if they really wanted to find out, they clear the compartment of men, secure the bulkhead door, and give me 15 minutes to find out one way or the other.

The trouble with Oleson is he's never been fired upon by Japs who were after his ass. He's never heard a depth charge, nor aerial bomb. He didn't see that Yank pilot we picked up out of a life raft near Guam last July 21, who had been riddled by a brave Zero pilot as he drifted helplessly waiting to be picked up. Personally, I have no compassion in my heart for bastards like that. No one felt sorry for John Dillinger when he got it. He was an American, but he was a rat, too.

We are armed with a .45 while guarding the Prisoner. If he should make a break or a wrong move, I won't fire because by chance the slug might puncture a high pressure air line, a hydraulic line, or a torpex warhead. The warhead would probably detonate! I would, or will, however, gun-whip him to hell and back. He'll only do it once.

We are about ten miles off port of Nagasaki, island of Kyushu, one of the main islands of Japan. We are on the surface, but that won't last long if I know Nagasaki. Captain Weiss thought he could stay up, too, but our first day out here (June, '44) we were forced down seven times by planes. For the 29 days after that, we ran submerged. We are patrolling a certain stipulated areas, being careful not to extend into an area patrolled by another boat, lest we meet a fate similar to the Gudgeon.. She was sunk with all hands by another American sub. What a hell of a way to go out!

We've averaged five or six dives a day since coming out of the mine field. Night patrol planes equipped with radar make patrols much more hazardous than they used to be. Lookouts can't see them, so we must depend solely on our SD radar. We never used to dive between dark and dawn unless making an approach. Now it's commonplace.

We have transmitted to ComSubPac via radio a query as to what method to employ in getting the data on mines to them. Are standing by, waiting for instructions.

Answer from ComSubPac; make rendezvous with Trigger and give them the charts showing channel through minefield. They are leaving station in two days, returning to Guam. Meeting is set for 8 p.m. tonight. We contacted them on radio (wolfpack frequency.)

We were forced down by plane this noontime and upon manning sound gear picked up screws off port bow. Headed for them - shortly after, went to stations for Battle Submerged. Turned out to be six armed trawlers. Too many to Battle Surface on. They'd ram us before we could get all of them with the 5" gun.

It is 9 p.m. and we have not seen the Trigger. We'll hang around awhile longer. Probably they are having trouble trying to stay on surface. Planes are bad!!!

Well, here's the dope! We are leaving station. The Trigger did not make rendezvous with us. We radioed ComSubPac to that effect and they sent back "Come in yourself." We are on our way. Should only be a week to Guam.

This is a short patrol. If it is counted a successful one, then it's a break for us. It would be hard for a civilian to understand just how much the term "successful" means to us when applied to a war patrol. Pride in achievement, respect, and admiration of other men in the same racket - all hinges on whether or not ComSubPac thinks work done during patrol was of enough importance and value, to say "Well Done." One would think if a skipper took a 7-1/2 million dollar ship with 80-85 men aboard into enemy waters and patrolled an area, AND brought boat and men safely back to port, the patrol would be termed a success. However, to make it hard, they say you must sink at least 5,000 tons or accomplish a special mission with neatness and dispatch.

Actually, the captain is the only man aboard who has a pretty good idea of whether this is successful or just a waste of time. He alone knows what we were to do. We are to pass through the straits tonight. We must get east of Okinawa.. By the way, that dogface on Saipan was right. The marines and army landed on Okinawa today. We are not more than 150 miles from there now. Sky is probably full of Yank planes. Not good for us at all. Stupid Airedales never did learn to recognize Yank, submarines from Jap. The bastards are all too eager to claim a Navy Cross - "Sighted sub sank same." They leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Ran submerged all day. Too many planes to try running on surface. Very quiet day. Began field days to present spic and span appearance in port.

We did not run aground (again) at Yokoata Jima on trip back through straits. Profit by experience!

Captain came aft inspecting ship. He is very disappointed that we didn't sink anything since he took command. Wesner and I were the only ones back here when he came. He said the room looked good. Also told us he only wanted a short refit, just get the bow planes and a few other major jobs done and then come right out again.

I made the observation that this would likely develop into, all told, a 90 or 100 day run. The captain was quick to say that this would be a separate successful run. He also said we are the only boat in the fleet to have nine successful consecutive runs. Quite an enviable record. It is envied, too! There are a good many men trying to get this boat for duty.

Before the Captain left, he dropped a bombshell! Wesner said it was too bad we didn't see at least one ship, so that by sinking it we could virtually cinch the Presidential Unit Citation. With that, the Captain smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. We've got it'." God, I hope he knows. That is the finest award an outfit can expect. It is very hard to get. Ask the marines at Guadalcanal. There was even some hesitancy about giving it to them.

We changed course and now instead of heading for Guam, are heading NE. If we continue on this course, we will be off Honshu in 12-15 hours. This may mean we have been assigned a new area. Possibly we may make a long run and get a decent refit and a full two weeks rest period when we get in.

Later in the afternoon this news came out. We will lay off Honshu tonight standing by to pick up any B-29 crews that are knocked down in a big raid. These planes have sufficient altitude to make the open sea nine times out of ten. When one goes down, he or another one nearby, talks to us, by voice radio, giving position and other pertinent Information. We then make for that position and try to find them. We call this "lifeguard duty" and it isn't the choicest duty to be had.

We are on station. We have had several indications on the SJ or surface craft radar. There have been B-29's sweeping in close to the water. They are harder to detect by Jap night fighters from this position. Some have flown nearly right over us. The noise of their engines plain to the ear, and exhaust flames plain to see. I have just come from the bridge where I watched this procedure for a very few minutes. I know now of how the British must have felt when wave after wave of bombers took off over the channel headed for Germany. The captain evidently expects enemy planes attempting to intercept B-29's because he ordered all hands below except lookouts on watch.

And not too soon, either, for at 0100 SJ picked up a low flying plane at 11,000 yards. He came right in. Was at 2,2OO yards when the diving alarm went. On the dive the SD or aircraft radar. was switched on and it showed the plane to be directly overhead when we were still flooding down. He either did not have a bomb load or did not see us. The latter isn't logical, because they have radar too, and the way he came right in on us makes us think he knew just where we were. It was close and I really did sweat it out back here. If he had carried bombs, this story would have come to an abrupt end.

The radio shack is listening on a certain frequency, but as yet nothing concerning us has been heard, Interplane conversation is going on, though not to any great extent. I imagine they are busy checking equipment for final readiness much the same as we do just before making a torpedo attack. Too busy to talk much - and no need. We know what we're all thinking. Will we sink them, and then, will we get away, or will the depth charges crush the bulkheads like an eggshell, leaving steel decking to stand on and sea water to lean against. Who wants to think those thoughts out loud?

We have had no reports of planes down. We are definitely on our way in to Guam now. Evidently, If any B-29's were knocked down, it was over the Island and they were unable to make it to the sea, "Hop-a-long" Boyd, navigator's assistant, says we'll make., port on the morning of the 8th. Sooooo! It won't be long before we can wrap our hands around a beer again. Just to walk off the "T" and step on solid ground again is really something to look forward to. I've called her "home" for 16 months now, and the novelty, long ago wore off. I've put in a good many hours work on this baby. When I came aboard, she had five ships sunk in four runs. Now after her ninth run, the score is 17 ships sunk 12 damaged. Captain Weiss got 12 in the three runs he was aboard for three Navy Crosses, Damn fine record, but I really do feel that Captain Latham in two runs has earned at least one Cross., ComSubPac has cramped his style by sending us on special missions both times he took us to sea. The work he's done on these mine charting expeditions merits some sort of award certainly. We haven't the details of course, but I'll bet no ship or landing craft hit mines at Okinawa in the invasion. They knew where they were because we found them. Mine sweeps were able to dash in and neutralize, mines in nothing flat. They didn't expose themselves to enemy fire for as long a period as usual.

During the days and nights spent fixing positions of mines on the chart, the Captain got little or no sleep. I don't know how they can do it for days on end, but most sub skippers have that ability to travel on nerve. That's why they only make four or five runs out here. Enlisted men and junior officers make twice that many because they don't carry the tremendous responsibility, don't burn out that fast.

Tonight, we learned that 300 or more B-29's were involved in last night's low-level attack on three cities of the Tokyo area.

Put in the last battery charge on all nine fish. As soon as we make port tomorrow we'll pull them. We are due to tie up at 1415, so we'll be working until midnight. The last four days we made better time that we'd hoped, thus enabling us to cut a day off traveling time.

I've trimmed by beard and showered in preparation for entering port. All of us are looking forward to the mail. Although it hasn't been very long since we got some, a couple of weeks without hearing from home seems an eternity. I don't suppose there is fresh milk on Guam, so we'll miss that. "Wag" and I are going to try and find a little Chamorro girl to do our laundry. Should be pleasant prowling about finding one.

I rather think our Jap prisoner, suspects we are nearing port. Twice in the last five days he has expressed the desire to exterminate himself. I use a word usually used in reference to rats. The other day when Wag used tin snips to cut his own toenails Hommy made motions as if committing hari-kari and reached out for the snips, Wag scowled fiercely, The Jap then motioned to me that he'd like the gun and when I patted the holster as if to say, "It's right here, and here it shall stay," he made like a gun with his thumb and index fingers vigorously waggling his thumb back and forth a sufficient number of times to blow his brains to hell and gone, It's all quite silly because if he really wanted to do it, all he'd have to do is smash his head against the torpedo in its rack alongside him.

However, I am tempted to hand him the .45 (which isn't loaded incidentally) just to see who he'd aim at. If he pointed at one of us, I could clout him unmercifully about the nose and jaw, but I'd have a devil of a time convincing the Captain that the Nippo took the gun away from me. The guy wouldn't weigh 100 pounds with a sea anchor in his pocket.

Tied up at Guam at 1030. Tender Proteus is to refit the boat. Received our mail and fresh fruit.

Leave at 1000 today for Camp Dealey, Submarine Recuperation Center! It is on the opposite side of the island from where we are now. Should see quite a bit of this rock while driving to camp.

The ten days spent at Camp Dealey were restful and relaxing. We slept in Quonset Huts which were breezy and cool at night - not in the daytime. Meals were very poor, but we didn't mind. We just did not eat. We drank beer every day, played in tournaments etc. Doc Garner and I played tennis quite a bit and represented the boat in the tournament as the tennis doubles entry.

Left island of Guam the 28th day of April bound for the by-passed island bastion of Truk in the Carolines. The word has been put out that this is to be a very short patrol - some 19 or 20 days. It is to be in the nature of lifeguard duty, i.e. hovering around on the surface while the "fly fly" boys bomb shore installations and any shipping they may find in the lagoon. In the event a plane is knocked down, we are to scurry over to it and affect rescue of pilot and crew. Toward this aim a rescue team has been selected to swim to aid helpless flyers, who no doubt will be heavily encumbered by clothing. Wagner and Stanford and I have volunteered for this work. Three others have been placed on the team.

Twelve B-24's, two B-29's have been sighted through periscope heading in to island. We are only five or six miles off beach as we surface. Ack ack is visible from the bridge and so also are bomb bursts.

Saw no planes so we did not surface until 6:30 p.m.. We moved in close to reef-bound lagoon. It was believed that the narrow breaks in reef had been mined at outbreak of war. These openings to lagoon are not used as navigable channels. Surface craft could not elude gaze of Jap lookouts if they tried to come through. A sub quite conceivably could get in, though your life would not be worth a plugged nickel once the Japs were aware of your presence.

To disprove theory of mined entrances, we took pictures of F.M. screen. These showed reefs dark and openings as light. Nothing in between.

The three or four main navigable channels are of course mined. These we did not play with.

Bombers came and began blasting again. Light sporadic ack ack fire met them and occasionally a beam or two from searchlights clutching at a plane can be seen. We have moved in to three or four miles off shore and are hoping that whatever shipping there is in harbor will come tearing out so we can pick it off.

We would get credit for a successful run, making us the only boat with ten in a row, If we rescue a plane crew, we'll get credits also. We are hoping for one or the other.

I forgot to say earlier that we have riding with us, a Leftenant-Commander Lankin, Royal Navy who hails from Oxfordshire, England, He is laison-officer between the British fleet now operating in the Pacific and ComSubPac. His purpose for being aboard: to become familiar with the way we operate our communications system and any other pertinent information he feels will help in his work. He is himself a British sub skipper, (V.C.). He thinks we are a pretty fair crew. Was heard to say to our Captain in the control room, "By Jove, it is a wonderful Navy. By Jove, it IS that!"

Plenty of excitement!!! We dove at dawn, surfaced at 1130. Raid was supposed to commence at that time. From noon until 1615 no planes were seen.

At 1500 I went up on bridge for one hour as sun lookout. Equipped with Polaroid sun glasses we search area of sky surrounding sun. This area is much too bright to gaze into, with naked eye or even binoculars.

I wasn't relieved until 1615. I had been below again perhaps 20 minutes watching a movie In crew's mess, when from the bridge a voice was heard to say, "Jap plane." Another voice yelled, "Clear the bridge," and a third, "Left full rudder." The diving alarm sounded and a bomb, close at hand, went off. The explosion rocked the boat, knocked cork off the overhead, and jarred electric light bulbs from their sockets, knocked open locker doors, etc.

On the dive we, of course, intended to go down to 180' and stay there. The first hitch in our plans occurred when the bow planes refused to rig out. The explosion blew a fuse in the circuit. In the meantime the man on the stern planes, who is new, thought we had an alarming down angle, so he put rise on the stern planes. This could very well have been fatal, as it served to promptly bring us up to a mere 30' depth. Had the Jap been on the ball, he would have swung over and let go his second bomb as we wallowed helplessly in view. That he had a second bomb was well known, as at least three men on the bridge had seen the belly of the plane which was 400 to 500' directly over the "T." These same three men had seen the bomb after It had been released, while plummeting down at us. They noted another under the wing. We can't figure out why the Japs did not strafe the men on the bridge as he swept over us. Luckily, he chose not to.

Negligence or "doping off" on the part of the lookouts is the sole explanation for the fact that the plane got in on us undetected. The roar of his engines actually gave him away. Ears are less protection than eyes out here. The attacking plane was a twin engine job (Betty) not unlike our own B-26. When we had been down about an hour, the Captain decided to come up to 65' for a look. At that depth, using the scope, he saw the same plane with its big brother, a four engine job. We then went down to 150' and stayed until dark.

Our scares for the day were not through by any means, as we found out a few hours after surfacing. SJ radar picked up a target - range 1,000 yards. The target is very small, which leads us to believe it is a periscope, as it disappears every now and then. We went to flank speed and got away from there - but quick! No doubt though, that quaint character in the enemy sub will be seen or heard from again, as we are to be here for 12 days or so.

Wag and 1st Lieutenant Brooks are to be the rescuers in the water. Stanford, Wicker and I, rescuers on deck. In the event more than two "fly fly's" are on hand at one time, Wicker and I are to accept the next assignments. Of course unless an airman is wounded or weighted down with clothes, we are to try to affect a rescue, without, entering the water. Heaving lines and small lifebuoy are for this purpose.

The following incidents did actually happen in this chronological order.

We patrolled submerged for the next three days, as no raids on Truk were scheduled. We surfaced at dark, put in a battery charge, jammed air, and then dove at dawn.

Surfaced at 1300 for lifeguard duty. About a dozen B-24's swooped over the islands dropped their eggs, gave us the OK (no one in trouble,) and headed back to Guam. We remained on the surface until "Joltin' Joe" was sighted, then dove.

I found out that my informant had the wrong dope as to type of plane that bombed us the other day. It was not a Betty as I was led to believe, but a single engine, single float plane. A Zero with a pontoon. The same plane forced us down today.

Surfaced at 1100 today when we sighted bombers (B-24's) making another attack. No casualties; all planes got away. We saw "Joltin' Joe" just as last bomber went out of sight. He is getting clever. Is linking our presence with plane raids. He probably took off the minute Truk radioed "Raid, Raid," and began looking for us as he neared the island. Obviously, he isn't based on Truk, or he could get here while the raid Is going on.

The story ran through the boat, that the skipper wants to get rid of this bothersome plane. We damn near died when told how he proposed to do it. He believes the plane comes in to a certain reef-sheltered lagoon at night for parking space. His plan is to sneak up to just outside the reef, look around to get the lay of the land, and if the plane is in there, we'll battle surface on it with the five inch deck gun using fragmentation (anti-personnel) shells with special fuses. These shells are designed to go off when shell passes near target spraying air with shrapnel. One near-miss then would give the Nippers so many holes to patch, it would take a month to make it airborne again.

Well, we went in there tonight. No plane! It was a good idea and we'd probably have been the first sub to knock out a Jap plane had it worked.

We surfaced at 1700 and raid commenced. It lasted for an hour or so, and at one time, a plane called us to say that one plane was in trouble, stand by for further word. They (bridge) called the rescue team to control room where we donned "Mae Wests" and broke out the heavies. Plane later called and said, "All OK," so I guess the wounded fly fly thought he could make it to Guam!

Today we leave station! We are to tie up at Guam for refit. We have just one more job to do which is to come off tonight.

We will shell the island of Ulul (Lulu in reverse,) which is north of here, south of Guam. The rock has a Jap garrison, number unknown, about 12 buildings, fairly well grouped, including a radio shack radar station. Also there is a water tower.

At 8:30 p.m. under cover of an inky blackness we moved in. At 8,000 yards the gun crews went topside. Being topside so far out gave us a fine. chance to become dark adapted before we began firing. At 4,000 yard range everything was in readiness. If they had lookouts they must have seen us, silhouetted against the sky. We drew no fire. When at. 2,2OO yards we made a 1800 degree turn to draw their fire, but continued the turn 180 degrees more when none was forthcoming. At 1300 yards we turned to port, trained to starboard beam and commenced firing. I pulled the first round from the ready locker and passed It to Wicker, who is 1st loader, and he slammed it into the breech. Brooom! Believe me, a 5" .25 really has a kick to it! We were laying to, dead in the water, but that didn't make our job much easier for our targets were very indistinct. It is believed we knocked out the water tower and radio shack, but other than that, damage is unknown. We could hear the shells whistle through the coconut trees, slicing off the tops, making a peculiar rustling noise. Saw several lights at different times, but not for long. It was simple to follow the trajectory of each shell because as they left the muzzle and winged toward the beach, they were blobs of fire. The shells we used were supposed to contain flashless powders but several were defective and when these were fired and the resultant blast blew our eyelids apart, the brilliant flash blinded all of us at the gun for a minute or so. Wicker and I handled a total of 2,376 pounds each in about 20 minutes. Quite a workout! We were pretty tired when it was all over. The 40 mm, 20 mm, and 2-50 cal. opened fire when we were through, and raked the beach for another 15 minutes.

When we had secured, and had a chance to compare notes, we all discovered little holes in our clothes and burns, particularly on necks and forearms, where paper wad had blown back from muzzle and fell amongst gun crew. My beard had caught fire In the midst of everything, but a slap put it out and I didn't have time to think of it again until we secured.

We are heading for the barn now! We are happy. This raid served to break the monotony of what had proved to be a hum-drum patrol. I think that was the Skipper's intention. No one of us was hurt, though we all complain of burning eyes attributed to the acrid powder smoke which blew back in our faces.

We contacted our escort to Guam, the DD Downs, and exchanged recognition signals. They are leading the way, we follow about 3,000 yards behind. We are flying the American flag and mounted our signal light (blinker) again. We know we are in friendly waters when this happens. We won't dive unless some stupid fly fly gets a hair across his fanny.

It seems strange and hard to believe that only last night we were in close proximity to Japs and soon we'll be in port. We used to require 15 days in coming off station to Pearl Harbor, 15 days each way, 30 days on station made for a 60 day run. This Patrol will be 18 days when we tie up. This was just a filler I think until the powers that be decided which mine field they want charted next.

Tied up alongside the tender Proteus. The sub Crevalle is in so I'll see dinkum cobber Rohraback. The Bowfin is in also, and Joe Knox of Litchfield, who a chief Mo MM on her came aboard when we tied up. We filled in the lapse of time from when we last met over 17 months ago in Fremantle, W.A.

Left for Camp Dealey at 1100. Only have a five day rest due to short run.

11TH WAR PATROL

Left Guam at 1500. In sliding out of the harbor it was necessary to run down the beam of H.M.S. King George I. The first time I had seen a Royal Navy ship close at hand. She needed a paint job!

This run, I shall have the 4 to 8 watch. I prefer this, as it is easier to skip the noon meal when it occurs during my sleeping hours. I only need to eat twice a day.

Of course, there is much scuttlebutt running rampant through the boat in reference to where we are going, what we shall try to accomplish etc. The officers are reluctant to say anything about it, which action stems probably from one of two possible reasons. The danger to morale if serious implications of the run were known, or, and this seems to me more logical, the possibility of capture before mission is accomplished and tortuous grilling that might very well result in disclosure of ComSubPac strategy.

We are in company with two other boats, Flying Fish and Bowfin, comprising a wolfpack of at least three boats. Rumor has it that there will be eight or twelve boats in the thing when on station for patrol, though this is unfounded.

Incidentally, the unofficial dope is that our area or station is to be the Sea of Japan! To a layman, this might not sound startling, but to us, as to any submariner, it is. We know where the boats are operating, have been operating, and we know that in the main, the Sea of Japan was not an area. There have been several boats sent in, but nothing was ever heard from them. They were among those listed as, "overdue and must be presumed lost," with never a mention made of where they were when lost. Just another example of the Navy's sometimes understandable, sometimes peculiar reticence in regard to sub's activities. Certainly the Japs knew when they got these U.S. Subs. They also knew where they got them. Would it be revealing military secrets then to glorify the 80 or 90 men and officers who left port, knowing there was little chance of a return, but knew they would sink Jap ships and kill Jap personnel

The stoic courage of these men should be made known to the American public now, when to wage war, to be in combat, is the charge of every physically fit American male, and war stories are accepted and included in the daily diet of the 118,000,000 Americans still fortunate enough to be able to read their daily papers as soon as they are off the presses.

If we wait until the war is over, and the civilian populace along with the ex-military, returns to normalcy, then try to cram stories of submarine exploits down their throats, it will be, I'm afraid, rather futile, for everyone will be trying to put war stories from their minds. I shall too.

It isn't fair to us to be nonentities forever. We had a part in this war too and though we don't claim a larger role than the next guy, we certainly think that a little more detailed credit can be released.

May 30, Memorial Day and here I am 450 miles north of Guam heading for the Empire of Japan. My God, sometimes it all seems like a dream - unbelievable. I never will get used to being on these, the strangest of all war machines, submarines. In '39 if anyone told me I'd be a submariner in '43, I'd have laughed in his face, yet here I am, a qualified submariner.

We are a comparatively small group comprising a mere one percent of the Navy's personnel so there is a greater esprit de corps here than can be found in most military groups. We know each other. That is to say, when a boat goes down, we have lost a good many friends, fellows we knew in Australia, Midway, Pearl Harbor, Johnston Island, Saipan, Majuro, Guam. I've made many friends, and I've lost a lot of them. Men on the Cisco, Robalo, Dace, Flier, Trigger, Scamp, Snook, Narwahl, Swordfish, Runner, Tang, Tulibee. All of them happy-go-lucky guys who'd give you the shirt off their backs.

The Skipper gave us a message tonight in the press news. He certainly can sense just what we are feeling and covered it nicely. There are too many of the crew who have never heard a depth charge and they think these runs are a Sunday school picnic. We'll have to watch them like a hawk during an attack.

From the information I can get, I believe we will enter the Sea of Japan from the western approach, that is the entrance between Kyushu and Korean Peninsula, The channels are of course mined, so it will be pretty risky entering and departing, not to mention the time spent inside. We will be pretty close to Russia, of course, so the stock gag now is, "Well, it won't be like this in Vladavostock," and "When Uncle Joe gets to see us, we'll all make Ensign."

Sighted several dozen B-29's returning from a large scale raid on Yokohama. Did not communicate with them In any way.

It will be quite cold, I expect, when we get on station, Joe Knox told me that they (Bowfin) were off the NE coast of Honshu, last run and the injection was 32 F. Our area will be about the same latitude.

Made trim dive on my watch. For some obscure reason the torpedo loading hatch decided to give me a bad time. When we ducked under about 30 feet, I heard water spurting from somewhere. Quickly, I checked all possible sources and discovered the leak. By this time, we were at 120 feet, going to 340. The water was coming in under a 50 pound pressure which was increasing as we went deeper.

The grease (Zurk) fitting on the hand wheel, which is used to lock or open the hatch, was dry of grease and water rushed through the restricted opening. Red Stanford's bunk Is hung from the overhead about a foot and a half below this hatch, and it was receiving most of the water.

I was in his bunk looking for the leak and getting very wet. When I discovered what it was, I scurried back down and looked for our small grease gun in the tool box. Someone evidently borrowed it and did not bring it back. The only thing I had was a hand gun with another type of fitting. I picked it up and clambered back to Red's sack and pushed the gun onto the fittings.

It was enough to keep out the water, but I, none the less, had lost my temper by that time, and cursed the day I ever put in for duty on "one of these pig-iron b------ s." I dried up the water as best I could when we surfaced, and put in a new grease fitting. I then sat down to collect my thoughts and to regain control of my temper.

We probably shall change course to west (270 degrees) when we reach latitude north of Okinawa. This would take us through the Ryukyu group, close by Amami Oshimag which Island is most commonly used for designating that passage to the China Sea.

We had a radio message telling of a plane in distress and forced down 80 miles from our position. We are proceeding there on four main engines.

We spent all night searching for the crew of that plane reported down. Thought they might have rowed to Safu Gan (Lot's wife), a small uninhabited island, so we ran up to it and fired Very pistols flares, star shells etc.and even blew our whistle (fog horn.) This was done. In an effort to get them to signal us, if they were on it. An hour later, assumed they were elsewhere and began racing about the area last given as their position. Handicapped as we were by heavy fog, our chances of finding them looked mighty slim. Visibility was less than 500 yards.

At this time we were contacted by a Navy search plane, via radio, and told they were circling over the survivors. Another plane began running back and forth over the sea hoping we would hear their engines and radio them when they passed close by. About two hours later we heard him and told him so. We took off in the direction of the plane and soon after, spotted the boat in which were the survivors.

Ten in all from a B-29. They had raided Osaka and were on their way back to Guam when a prop windmilled, eventually tore off Its hub and ripped through the fuselage. Besides, cutting a wide swathe through the ship, it severed control cables of the ailerons and tail section. With no control, they had to ditch the plane.

They had only been down 22 hours when we picked them up. I have outfitted one S/S Ralph Gervais of Chicago with skivvies, dungarees, socks, and sandals. He also has access to my bunk while aboard. I had extra toilet gear so he's all set in that department.

One man was lost when his chute failed to open. They were at 2,000 feet.

Made a trim dive at dawn. The soldier back here was rather disappointed he did not wake up to experience the sensation. He told me more of the raid on Osaka. The targets were a poison gas factory and a grenade plant. On the way out they flew through a huge column of dense, black smoke reaching into the sky for more than 22,000 feet. Even at this altitude the unmistakable smell of burning wood was noticeable. The plane itself (Skyscraper I) was covered with soot when they emerged from the smoke.

At 0030, on the surface, a plane came in on us and it being very dark, was heard rather than seen. We dove. No bomb was dropped. 20 minutes later we surfaced and continued on. Are approaching the Nansei group. Must run through narrow straits to enter East China Sea. Land-based radar has picked us up, so they know we are coming. In the East China Sea we are cruising on the surface. Forced down by Jap medium bomber at 0545. Will stay submerged.

We rendezvoused with the Scabbardfish. Piled the zoomies into rubber boat, and pulled boat back and forth between us; three trips before job was done. Before he left, Gervais gave me his flying suit in swap for my dungarees and white hat and submariner's sandals. When this B-29 crew gets a replacement for Skyscrapper I, they are going to call it "Tinosa Jr." It looks as though the Japs will get hell. on all sides from the "T."

We went to battle stations. We are standing by the tubes now. Target is thought to be a submarine due to certain characteristics of pip on the SJ. Another false alarm! Decided finally target must be a rock. It's a little early In the run to fire fish anyway. I think we'll find bigger and better targets inside the Japan Sea. I'll wait.

At 0530 we dove, probably for daylight hours. Too many planes up above. We'd be running elevator service same as yesterday when we were forced down seven times.

Just heard an amusing tale. Last night (or early morning) it was decided by Mr. - X'-, who is an ex-shoe clerk lately turned Naval officer, to have Red Stanford grease various operating units on deck. For some obscure reasons Mr. X desired to go up with Red, probably to direct the job. Being a very ineffectual, blundering individual, he is not the type one likes to have around when there is work to be done. Red didn't like the idea at all. When they were rigged to start, and turned on the air to the gun, the air hose parted at a coupling. Red, who is always quick to seize an opportunity jammed the two lengths of hose together, and with his most gracious smile bestowed only on those few souls whose object in life is to do good unto others, placed the coupling into the hands of the slightly dumb-founded Mr. X, who was forced to stand in one spot for an hour or so holding the hose together. If he had let go, the air running through the hose would have whipped and lashed the end all over topside, and by the time it could be shut off , Mr.X would have been a beaten man. He (seen his duty and he dun it.) He held the hose together - but good!

After being down fourteen and a half hours, fresh air feels good.

Have some more dope on the SJ contact. It was a good sized pip at 28,000 yards indicating a large ship. One small pip showed at 20,000. This was probably an escort vessel. At the time, we had only two main engines in commission. The other two we were unable to start on surfacing, due to salt water being in the fuel. We had to throw a long charge in the batteries so used one engine for that. Our top speed then would be 11-12 knots. We were to rendezvous with the Bowfin and Flying Fish at 0230. At the time of the SJ contact, we were quite a few miles from rendezvous. The Captain figured we could not get into position for an approach and still get back to the other boats. Our mission is still the important thing. Sooo! Torn between two desires, he made the hard but wiser choice.

Got together with the two boats on schedule at the entrance of the straits leading into the Sea of Japan and the skippers yelled "Good Luck" to one another. We then spread out a bit and waited for dawn to break.

Dived at dawn and started into the straits. We are the third in line which is not an enviable position. It is similar to a wingman's spot in flying formation. Since 0700 we have been getting mine indications on the FM. The straits are choked with them planted in the conventional way.

At 0830 and again later this afternoon we heard a mine cable scrape along the side of the hull. An eerie sound to say the least. I recalled the movie "Crash Dive" which I saw while in New London. In one scene Ty Power's sub was passing through a mine field and a mine gently bumped and scraped its way aft. I laughed at that. I knowing that mines don't bump and remain intact, but today's experience convinced me that I had lived through a scene so similar that it wasn't funny.

We have CO2 Absorbent, which I spread on deck this morning, purifying the air. We are to be down about 20 hours today. It's the first time we've used this stuff.

Upon surfacing, we had a plane contact at 12 miles and two ships at four miles. Plane drew away and we left the ships alone. Dope now is that we have to wait a few days till all nine subs are in position before any of us makes an attack.

We are out of the minefield and in the Sea of Japan proper. It is a very rough sea. Some of the fellows who became quite seasick after we surfaced, are glad that we dove at 0430 for an all day dive. It is much nicer for sleeping.

I laid in my sack from 10 p.m. until 3:30 am without going to sleep. Sharp rolls we took damn near threw me out on deck continuously, so that it was impossible to even relax.

Dived at 0500 and ran submerged until 2230. The sea was quite calm when we surfaced. I don't believe I mentioned it before, but we are to refrain from making an attack until after sunset on the 9th. At that time, all hell should let loose as nine boats fire fish at targets in nine different harbors.

We are going into Bokuku, Korea and will look it over all day. Then when it's I dark, fire at selected targets and get out of there. The fish will be routined today, so that they'll be all set to go.

At 1400 went to battle stations. A lone ship up there. The old man has decided to jump the gun and take this one. At 1500 tubes fw'd fired three fish and sunk the thing, It split in two and went down in less than 50 seconds. 2300 tons and it was loaded. There were no depth charges, and I doubt if there were survivors.

Before noon, when we got a look at the harbor, there were no ships there and the skipper was so disappointed he'd take a chance and disobey orders - which he did by firing four hours before sunset.

When we fired, the target was only 2300 yards off shore. It was so shallow there that we had to fire from 3800 yards away and then only had 95 feet of water or 30 feet under us.

At 1215 had a contact at 61,000 yards and it was not land! Picking up a ship at that range indicates it is big. Tracked him until at 7:30 PM we were in position for an attack. We (in the after torpedo room) hoped the Captain would give us a chance to add to our tonnage and he did.

At a range of 1300 yards, target on a steady course we fired tubes #7, #/8, #9, and hoped. A minute and a half later, with no explosions we knew we'd missed. We learned later that the ship turned and began to run down our torpedo tracks, We hastily made #10 ready and fired it in the hopes that it would make the target swerve from his course, it did. About that time, high speed screws were heard approaching us and the Captain calmly told the chief on the manifold to flood negative. Chief Welch, without answering did, and we started down. In the meantime Mr, ------- , whose wife had a son recently and he, as a result, has come to value his life more, got excited and screeched, "Flood Negative!" Confusion reigned! It was suddenly clarified for us shortly as we heard the unmistakable whirr and whine of one of our own torpedoes pass right over us and fade away in the distance on its erratic run. We very nearly were destroyed by our own torpedo.

Anyone who felt chipper after that was not normal. We all very weakly sat down after rigging for depth charge attack. The smoking lamp was out, so we didn't even have the comforting relaxation that is supposed to accompany a smoke. All we had was the comfort of each other's presence. We were all, ironically enough, in the same boat. Believe me, that old cliché has taken on new meaning.

As if the foregoing chain of events were not enough, the guy topside dropped a mere half dozen s-cans. Just enough to make you wonder if he was going to drop any more. However, he left us then to our own miseries and brother we had them!

The torpedomen were marked men. "What the hell was the matter with your fish?" was the eternal cry from the rest of the crew. Submariners are a severely critical group of personalities and though a man may not be familiar with the idiosyncrasies of torpedoes he sets himself up as an authority simply because he has known others at another time were fired and ran hot, straight, and normal!

It seems that two others were hits but failed to blow up. This can be attributed to faulty exploder mechanisms. These two fish actually bounced off the hull of the target! It is possible that the fish that boomeranged was one of these. I myself witnessed the Installation of exploders in two of the fish fired, and I know that there were detonators and boosters in them and that the cavity withstood the leakage test. It was a harrowing-experience, though not uncommon among the boats. Some of them have had a dozen or more faulty fish In one load.

One thing is known among Dixon, Wag, and I. The fault lies, not with us but with the tender, The fish are given to us in a "fully ready" condition, which' means they are ready to fire. Our job is to give them a routine periodically that will keep them in that state, We do not alter anything,

1245 - Foggy and misty now. Sighted 1500 ton coastal freighter. Battle Surfaced. At 4900 yards opened fire, and when we had expended first three or four rounds, they put a lifeboat over the side and rowed vigorously away from their ship. Though it was armed, with at least, a 37 mm they had no intention of manning it, so we ran right In to 600 yards firing all the time. When within range, the 40 mms 20 mm, and one 50 cal- opened fire also.

We fired 44 rounds of 5", about 20 of which were hits. The ship was of the steel-hull type and took quite a few hits before she started to sink. Finally, 24 minutes after we fired the first round, she went under by the stern Two men jumped off the fantail just then and probably were taken under by the suction of the sinking ship. The lifeboat was left unharmed.

Wicker and I are both pretty tired, and our arms and backs ache. We lifted and carried 3,960 pounds apiece in the 24 minutes of actions so I guess we should. By the way, this ship one of 80 in the same class, was fully loaded.

The danger of being sighted by a patrol plane was a thing to be reckoned with, but none showed up.

Dived at dawn for a submerged patrol. We moved down nearer the strait through which we entered the Sea of Japan since the action yesterday. Went to Battle Stations at 1800. Closed in to 600 yards unobserved, made tubes ready, outer doors open - then secured because target was a little too small to bother with.

"Stations for Battle Submerged!" SJ radar has a target at 5,000 yards We chased him for an hour, but when the Captain thought it over, he decided target, must be very small, else SJ would have picked him up at 10,000 yards. We are outside the harbor of Pusan, largest port in Korea. An average 22 ships a day enter or leave, totaling (average) 134,000 tons. This information comes from intelligence, so we will establish it as facts or - !

Mr. Siegfried was trying to bet $50 we'd get two ships today. No takers. I expect we'll make out, It's supposed to be a "hot" area.

I saw "Dave" Clutterham today for the first time since we had that "erratic" run back here. He is one of the junior officers. He asked me if I had been in Australia, and I replied yes. "Wel-Il I guess that's where you learned to fire boomerangs." How about that? He was only kidding so I laughed, too. The Guys have all forgotten about that incident and even those ignoramuses who seemed to hold us personally responsible for the near-calamity, have forgiven. Tubes forward have found three of theirs with H. R.T. in the Gyro pot, so it's just a generally bum load of fish.

At 1630 went up to 62 feet to take a look around. When the O.D. put his eye to the periscope, he saw dead ahead, 30 yards away, a small fishing boat, so down we went to 200 feet. This was to prevent their nets from fouling our screws.

I recall one incident in the Surigao Straits (Phillipines) when we came alongside a fishing boat to investigate and finding everything in order, took our leave. We had only moved off a few yards when we noticed the Phillipinos gesticulating wildly and yelling at us. Captain Weiss knew what was wrong immediately so he ordered "All Stop" and they drew along our stern and freed their fishing lines,. I was on lookout at the time, so remember well the looks and expressions of gratitude on the native's faces, for to them those lines meant a great deal. There were no others when they lost them, as the Japs only furnished those fishermen who fished for the Japs.

To show their appreciation they gave Captain Weiss a chicken, a live one which was kept in the after torpedo room until our arrival in port where it was presented to Admiral Lockwood with due ceremony. We had no report of it after that. While we had it aboard, the steering rams were its roost and when we tied up she was perched on the deck gun suitable outfitted with "tailor made" blues and a tres chic white hat, which an ingenious quartermaster had whipped up. I believe he spent as much time on his creation as Mainbocher did in designing the Waves uniform.

Linkage on negative tank flood valve broke. It is closed. Inconvenient, if not dangerous.

This was first day we did not go to battle stations since arrival.

It Is very foggy and so we shall take advantage of its protection and stay on the surface all day. Routine fish today. Hope we fire them soon.

Being on surface will enable us to get press news. Maybe the war is over. Have been out of contact for five days or so.

Plane contact at 1230 drove us down for half an hour. Surfaced and continued on. At about 2300 rendezvoused with Flying Fish. Bowfin was supposed to be there too, but did not show up. We exchanged movie films and also found that F.F. didn't have any more tonnage than us. She had run out of salt, so we gave her 15 pounds. Did not use rubber boat. Water was calm, so we moved bows together and handed the stuff over.

Did not dive this morning. No plane contacts until twilight when a radar equipped Jap plane came in on us to six miles. Dived and stayed down one hour and eight minutes. Surfaced at 8:45 a m, and an hour later, began running through a fleet of 20 or 30 fishing boats. They were 3-400 yards away, but we did not molest them.

We had stations for battle submerged. An indication on the SJ was picked up - range 9500 yards. We moved in to attack and just as it was getting daylight, fired tubes #4, #5, #6 on the surface. Visibility was very poor (50-75 yards due to a dense fog that hung about us hugging the ocean like a blanket. At no time then, could we see the target. We missed with all three fish, so moved in again, and after changing the depth setting from six to four feet, fired #1 and #2. These were misses too, whereupon we secured and let him go. He must have been very small if the fish passed beneath him. We were only 4000 yards from the Korean coast and land-based radar had picked up on us by then. We headed out to sea. We still have eleven fish left. The torpedo run was only 500 yards each time. Submerged at 0830 and surfaced after dark, 12 hours later.

Sighted drifting mine shortly after dawn. Have seen several this run. Stayed up until 1404, then down for submerged patrol. I had the 13-1400 sun lookout so went topside for breath of air and some sunlight. The effect was good! It's been a couple of weeks since I had any. Saw a shark's fin knifing through the water alongside of us. At 2100 we surfaced At 2230 SJ had flashes of Jap surface craft radar. We moved in and picked up three very small targets, dead in the water. Something is fishy here! Might well be bait. We left and they did not know we'd been. Another, false alarm. Battle stations secured. June 20 At 0315 SJ had an indication, 22,000 yards; tracked him and finally at 0600 went to Stations for Battle Submerged! It was daylight when we made the approach so the target was plainly seen- 5,000 ton freighter. Made tubes #1,2,3,4 ready, but fired only #1#2,3. Result? Three hits! One right after the other only seven seconds apart. The ship was only 600 yards away so the explosions sounded like real sharp cracks. The photographer sent out with us by ComSubPac was un able to get pictures, due to the fact that the ship just flew apart into the air and by the time the guy got his camera on the scope, there was no target. We could hear the sections cracking and snapping as it broke up under pressure as she sank deeper and deeper

Actually two fish would have done the job with ease, but the "Old Man" has had such rotten luck that he was taking no chances. There were no depth charges, a fact I still can't get used to. Whenever we sunk a ship, before this we came in for a good drubbing. It was expected and accepted by us as the price paid for the exultant feeling of sinking a Jap. The half dozen or so dropped on us so far this run, brings to over 400 the total dropped since I've been aboard.

At 1700 Mr. Siegfried saw smoke on the horizon, so we headed over to it and went to battle stations. By 1900 we were in position to make an approach. The ship was similar to the one sunk this morning, slightly smaller, grossing 4500 tons. Made tubes #2,3,4,5 ready while the range was 1700 yards. Fired much closer than that and got two hits. She went down! While the Captain was watching her sink, a plane came in on us and dropped one aerial bomb. While it did no material damages it certainly served to scare hell out of us as it was within 100 yards of the after torpedo room when it exploded.

We went down to 350 feet and rigged for depth charges but no more were dropped. We were very lucky as the guy had us cold. We were at 60 feet and the scope was leaving a feather and the hull outline would be plainly visible in the daylight. He was probably too excited and in too much of a hurry to calculate accurately.

Preparing to leave the Sea of Japan. On the surface, heading north. Temperature of the water here is 40 degrees, but it is 15 degrees or 20 degrees colder on the bridge. Below decks we are wearing lined jackets. Really cold! We are only 40 miles off the coast of Siberia now. Probably we (9 boats) are the only warships to be this close during the entire war. We expect to sight Russian planes or even ships before long. I doubt if we let them see us.

We are to rendezvous with the other boats tonight and probably go through the straits tomorrow night, possibly tonight. These straits adjoining the home island of Hokkaido to the north are very shallow, so it is likely we'll go through on the surface. One reason for this Is the condition of negative tanks, another the fact that the degradient in this latitude is very great. This variance in temperature of layers of water tends to very definitely impair the efficiency of the FM gear. We might not see a mine because of this. As a result, we'll have the gun crews stand by all the time we're in the channel so that we can make approaching enemy craft keep their distance - we hope! We cannot make more than six or seven knots coming through due to the danger of running upon a mine, so we have no advantage of speed this time. Normally we can outrun a PC or SC in heavy seas, even certain types of destroyers.

Actually we are entering the most dangerous phase of this operation.

When we came in, the Japs didn't know we were coming. Since then however; we have sunk four of their ships and no doubt others met success too. They know we've yet to get out and there are so few exits that it's a simple matter to cover them well. They'll be waiting for us!

Made rendezvous at midnight with the eight other boats. Conversation between boats via the VHF radio. Outcome - among other things, procedure in making departure. The lead boat will start through strait early morning. Six precede us, two follow. All to keep three miles apart. We are to be well inside the straits upon surfacing at dark tomorrow night.

We surfaced and blew sanitary which had flooded from sea. 1000 submerged again. Had a movie in the afternoon in the crew's mess to ease the tension. I went to bed! Surfaced at 2000, and entered the straits at 2300.

The 5 inch and 40 mm gun crews remained, dark adapted, and standing by in crew's mess, but we did not go topside at anytime during the night.

Making flank speed on four main engines. At 0100 still In the straits, had an SJ contact at 16,000 yards. We did not change course and when the range closed to 14,000 yards it was noted the ship was all lit up. As the Russians use this pass, we assumed this to be one of theirs and when, at 1400 yards she directed her own search light on the flag. We knew the Skipper was right. I didn't know it, but one like it was sighted last night also.

The Captain secured the gunnery party, so we knew we were in the Sea of Okhotsk - or whatever that Russian sea is. We had no contacts with either patrol craft or shore batteries and are very much surprised at that.

All the boats, save the Bonefish, are accounted for. She is still in the minefield. The Tunny has stayed behind to see if she can establish contact with the "B".

From the scant information on hand, it would appear we had better luck than any of the others. Know more later. Message today from Crevalle. She lost one of her screw guard cables and it fouled on a screw. Coming in on one screw. Rorry's on her and we're looking forward to three weeks at the Royal together but maybe this will change our plans.

Went through the Kuriles at about 0100 this morning. Nothing happened. It is still very cold and damp. In two or three days it should warm up though; temperature of the sea water is still 40-44 degrees. A man wouldn't last long in it. It is quite rough also and I find it very annoying to reel around with a cup of coffee in my hand. We.are heading for the barn. Should be In Pearl by the 9th of July. Have quite a few friends I'd like to see when we arrive.

It is getting warmer as we head south for Midway Island. We'll only be there long enough to top off fuel and get a couple of beers. Leave for Pearl Harbor the same day. Arrive in Pearl the 4th.

Everyone is in fine spirits of course, being so close to home port. There has been a noticeable lack of the usual snarling and barking at one another this patrol. Probably due to the fact that there was enough excitement to keep us from becoming bored. In the eleven days on station, we had Battle Stations at least a dozen times. Missed a lot of sleep. Actually we are all pretty well fatigued. Since we left Pearl on March 1, four months ago, we've had only 16 days rest. We didn't notice it before, but whatever rest we do get in Pearl will be welcomed. I never thought I'd see the day when Honolulu would look good to me, but this is it!

I found out today that the Skate is with us and has been from the start. I hope she goes in to Pearl too, and I might see Frankie Hermance if he is still aboard her. I haven't seen him since a year ago in March. That was in Pearl too.

The news, unofficial, is that only one other boat did better that the "T" on this jaunt. Out of nine boats this is fine. We beat the Skate and Crevalles, so I can give Frankie and Rorry the old business when I see them. The Captain has already sent a message in to Pearl requesting the best rooms available at the Royal for his crew.

Weather is very mild. Rigged the searchlight today. Always an indication we are in a "safe" area.

Oleson came back aft this afternoon and assured me if I wanted off (and I do) he was positive Mr. Smith would grant my wish. It looks as though I'll drop the hook in P.H. for a while. My chances of going back for a new boat are enhanced by getting off here. The prospects are bright. I shall ask Mr. Smith for a letter recommending me for new construction. If he does, that will go far toward getting me stateside.

Still "full on four." Made a short trim dive at 0415. Field day from 0830 to 1130, then routined our three fish this afternoon. May take one off in Midway tomorrow morning. Will get in to port about 0730. Mr. Salisbury told me this morning the Skipper expects there will be some mail there for us. Sal thought we might get a couple of beers, too.

The Captain had a message in last night's press. It would be hard for anyone not a member of the crew to catch the spirit of the thing, but the facts might be interesting,

Sighted our escort to Midway. There is a Jap sub around there again, so the escort will come in handy. Every time we enter or leave Gooney Bird Island we see a periscope, so we expected this report today.

0715 "Station the Maneuvering Watch" We went topside and got a look at Midway again, Held sound tests in channel, tied up at dock by 0820. Band playing "Roll Out the Barrel" and a few marches. Real shipping over music. At 0930 I was up to Gooneyville for three cans of beer. They have a juke box now. Took my mail up there with me. Had quite a session with all the letters. Underway for Pearl again at 1330. Field day every day until P.H.

Forgot to mention we are taking two Jap prisoners in too. Came aboard at Midway. The Ray captured them. One is shackled in tubes aft and he is at present time busily engaged doing my laundry. Somewhere he had acquired the idea that prisoners taken to Hawaii are beheaded. He has asked me if we're going there, and though technically I am not supposed to tell him where we are going, I couldn't pass this up, so he is now sweating it out. His name is (phonetically) Chi-dah-heet comes from home island of Hokkaido. Is a civilian fisherman. It seems as though he could find fishing grounds handier than the Yellow Sea.

I came very close to kicking out his "honorable teeth" yesterday. I had just relieved Wag and the Nip made it clear he would like a smoke. I said "No." He has his own but no matches, so is dependent upon us for a light. The Captain's orders are that he may have one a day and that after his one ration. He put one in his mouth and begged again. I shook my head no and scowled at him thinking that would end it, However, as I went bark to reading my Esquire I saw from the corner of my eye a sudden movement from "Bosco." Looking up I noted the cigarette roll to a stop on deck. He had become angry with me and in a mild temper, threw the butt away.

Well, I saw red! I hopped out of my chair, mouthing all sorts of comments at him and none of it good. With my key I unlocked one cuff and took it off his wrist. Not very gently I shoved his head in the direction of the cigarette and pointed. He understood and with many bows and much scraping, picked it up. I snatched it from his fingers and threw it in the waste basket. When I got through with him, he damn well knew who was the prisoner, which of us was to do the bowing My God! The colossal insolent arrogance of even the peasant class of this people is astonishing. It is human nature for the humbled to be humble. Yet here is a thing at a very definite psychological disadvantage (a prisoner of war, in shackles ill-fitting clothes - an altogether ludicrous and at the same time pitiful wretch) who becomes displeased with his captors because they don't attend, his desires. No wonder the people are hard to fathom.

I know now, I am to be transferred in Pearl. Mr. Smith has told me he would give me his highest recommendation for advanced torpedo school, Newport, R.I., and new construction, on the East Coast! I am most happy.

We get in at 0900 in the morning. The crew goes to the Royal in the afternoon. The transferees remain aboard until the crew comes back, then we go for a three week rest. Payday just after we tie up and that will go well with me. I won't mind making the refit before the rest period. Mr. Smith told me he thinks my chances of getting back to school and new construction are 100 to 1 in my favor.

---end---