GOLET (SS-361)

Compiled by Paul Wittmer, from:

U.S. Submarine Losses World War II

NAVPERS 15,784, 1949 ISSUE

Enroute to her second patrol, GOLET (Lt. Cdr. J. S. Clark) left Midway on 28 May 1944, for the entire area off the northeast coast of Honshu. No word was heard from her after she departed Midway.

GOLET was scheduled to depart her area on 5 July 1944, and was expected at Midway about 12 or 13 July. On 9 July 1944, she was sent a message, which required an acknowledgement, but none came. On 11 July, a sharp lookout was posted at Midway for a submarine coming in without being able to transmit. By 26 July 1944, the ship had not returned, and it was reported as presumed lost.

In the reports covering Japanese antisubmarine attacks, made since war's end, one is recorded as having been made on 14 June 1944, at 41 degrees 04 minutes N, 141-30 degrees E. This attack is considered to explain GOLET's loss, since the enemy, in his report, states, "On the spot of fighting we later discovered corks, raft, etc., and a heavy oil pool of 50 by 5,200 meters". GOLET was credited with no sinkings or damage to enemy ships on her first patrol, conducted in the Kuriles, and the area south of Hokkaido and east of Honshu.

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