The USS Wahoo SS-238 Web Blog
A blog to discuss the USS Wahoo and all topics relevant to her. Post your questions, comments, tibits of information here. Either the usswahoo.org editor or others can comment.
posted by Bryan MacKinnon at 7:53 PM
78 Comments:
Many people have been asking what the status of the search for the Wahoo is. It is ongoing and please take a look at http://www.mackinnon.org/numa-japan-home.html
Hi, I am not familiar with 'comment boards' and such, but I am constantly viewing anything I can read on the Wahoo, SS-238. My dad served on her 5th and 6th war patrols under "Mush" Morton. My dad currently lives in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
If anyone would like to contact me or my dad, please do so at: karatheart@aol.com
I'm Tim and my dad is Carl Hood.
Tim, thanks for your posting. Any memories of the Wahoo, photos, etc would be most appreciated. You may post them here or send them to me direct at bryan@mackinnon.org. Nothing will be posted on the web site with the permission of the author.
I am going to make a model of the SS238, Wahoo. Does anyone know where I can get some drawings or blueprints. w_r_page@hotmail.com
William, the best thing to do is to start with a Gato Class plan book from a place like the floating dry dock (www.floatingdrydock.com). This will give you all the details for a Gato/Balao class sub. The Wahoo was modified so if you wish to do it in her final configuration, you'll need a photo of the final configuration from mid 1943: http://www.emackinnon.com/Wahoo-ss238.jpg
The floating drydock also has wahoo photos. You can also try the National Archives for photos (www.nara.gov).
Let me know how it turns out.
This is a wonderful tribute to the men who served on Wahoo. Living in CT, I just yesterday visited the Nautilus Memorial in Groton. That rekindled my interest in the Silent Service, leading me to this site.
The personal memorabilia, such as the photos, put faces to the names of the men who fought and died for this country. These sites ensure their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and allow us to honor them as best we can.
My first cousin, twice removed, Max L. Mills was on board the Wahoo when it sank. Would love to hear from anyone who happened to know him, or knew of him. You can e-mail me at debmckay@bellsouth.net
Deb McKay
Russian divers have discovered the legendary American WWII submarine Wahoo in the Sea of Japan. The Russian sailboat Iskra was looking for the Russian L-19 submarine, the last Russian naval loss of the war in 1945, when it came across the wreck of the USS Wahoo, thought to have gone down in the La Perouse Strait in 1943. Video shows search boat, interviews with members of the expedition and underwater footage of the submarine.
Source: NTV Mir, Moscow, in Russian 1200 gmt 16 Aug 06
I first read of the Wahoo as a teen in the 70's, "Wake of the Wahoo" and have always wondered if she was ever found. May the lost crewmembers rest in peace. Job well done, gents.
J. Keith Evans
US Air/ B737
Bryon, I guess this is Good News for you. Will you be able to post any info passed on to you like side scan images or the pics? Like we discussed in Tokyo in 2001, it will be satisfying to know once and for all if it was "quick or lingering" for the crew.
Your friend Shell
A Russian team did confirm that at a site which is believed to the location of the Wahoo, a submarine lies. The Russian team. They utilized information that was provided to them by the Wahoo Project Team.
Credit is not due to one person or team but to many.
The full press release is available at http://www.mackinnon.org/Wahoo-Project-Press-Release-2006-08-10.pdf
Brian:
Congratulations on your many tears of hard work. The Russian photos and subsequent release to American hands is wonderful news. Doug called me to let me know ther was a news release in the Denver papers. After all these years we can officially put the Wahoo to rest.
Edwina Morton Thirsher
edwina06029@sbcglobal.net
I used to watch Silent Service (a 50s TV show) when I was a kid and read all about the Wahoo and the attack into Wewak. The story of Morton and OKane and the rest of them inspired me to badly want to go to the USNA and be a submariner. Unfortunately, lousy vision sent me a different path, but these guys remain great heros, even more so now that we know they were warriors, using MAGIC, to guide their hunting.
This has been a great year with the location of the Lagarto, the Grunion and now the Wahoo. While still on patrol, it's great to know where these brave men still sail.
The news about the possible locating of the Wahoo is rolling in. But I'll empahasize that it's only a possibility as the findings have not been officially confirmed by the US Navy.
The Russian Team used information provided by the Wahoo Project team to locate her.
Many people have been inquiring about the next steps with the Wahoo. The plan is to conduct a more comprehensive non-intrusive survey of the site to confirm the findings. But we must be clear that there are no plans to recover any parts of the Wahoo. Specifically, the Wahoo Project team works under international law as stated below:
"According to accepted international law, no person or State (meaning nation) may salvage or attempt to salvage sunken state vessels or aircraft, or their associated artifacts, wherever located, without the express permission of the sovereign flag State, whether or not a war grave. The Navy retains custody of its wrecks regardless of their geographic location through sovereign immunity provisions of admiralty law. Again, it is unlawful to touch, alter, enter, or disturb these remains without permission from the US Navy Historical Center"
I must comment on Don Boyer's entry. Mush Morton was a fearless and truly great destroyer of Japanese shipping, the best of WW II.
But, to say that ALL submarine commanders had a "get out of jail" card because prior treaties had been torn up and were superceded by the order to execute unrestricted submarine warfare is simply not true. In the recently released book, "Find 'Em Chase 'Em Sink 'Em: The Mysterious Loss of the WW II Submarine USS Gudgeon" the author tells about the very successful commander of Gar (P.D. Quirk) who did the same thing, shot Japanese soldiers in the water. He had his Navy Cross pulled and was disqualified from submarines. So, the same actions by certain submarine commanders led to their being canned. (i.e., at least one of them).
The interesting thing is that P.D. Quirk is all but forgotten in the great books of WW II submarining like "Silent Victory". I can't find him anywhere. Were there others who did the same thing, were quietly disqualified and forgotten by historians perhaps due to pressures from upper echelon submarine commanders? How many?
Maybe P.D. Quirk was the only one, maybe he was not.
All the same, congratulations to the MacKinnon Group for their key role in finding Wahoo...and bringing the service of those brave men to the awareness of the people of the 21st Century.
I was an FCS2/C aboard USS Queenfish (SS 393). I live in Pineville, KY. Cdr Morton lived here at one time. Is there any record of a TM2/C named Howard Seals. He also was from Pineville?
TM2c Enoch H. Seal was on the Wahoo in her 3rd through 7th patrols and was lost with her. He was on the Wahoo during her most significant time.
I am interested in the recent news that the russians found the wahoo in a 8/18 06 article does anyone have any other info ? thanks
Take a look at http://www.mackinnon.org/wahoo-search-and-probable-location.html
That should answer your question.
Brian, congratulations on all the hard work leading to the possible location of the Wahoo and her brave crew and intrepid captain. I have been familiar with Mush Morton since reading Grider's Warfish and, being fascinated by his personality, have sought out and read many other books on submarine warfare. Through this process I quickly discovered the equally intrepid Dick O'Kane. I corresponded with him in the late '80's. I told him that my father, Lt.jg Eugene Fife served in the navy in the war and that the current generations owe our freedom and prosperity to their bavery and sacrifice. O'Kane sent me a graciously inscribed copy of his book Wahoo. After reading various accounts of the famed 3rd patrol it seems there will be no conclusive version of it. Nevertheless there seem to be many comments that Morton has been harshly condemned for his actions. In all my reading of naval and submarine history, I can find no such condemnation. Of course this is a politically correct age where people wear revisionist blinders and this no doubt could lead to such criticism. Can you advise me what books or articles had such criticism or condemnation of Morton's actions? I would like to read them for my own edification. At any rate, I hope that the Wahoo is at long last "reporting in" on its eternal last patrol. Mac Fife email: mfife1000@aol.com
Mac,
Thanks. It's been a long and rewarding journey to the end of finding the Wahoo.
Regarding the 3rd patrol, I agree there is no conclusive agreement on what happened. The most direct and negative comments came via Grider and were recounted in Clay Blair's classic "Silent Victory." DeRose's "Unrestricted Warfare" provide more recent and balanced scholarship. And of course O'Kane himself in his book on the Wahoo was very postive about the actions of the Wahoo crew.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=26378
Navy Says Wreck Found Off Japan is Legendary Sub USS Wahoo
Story Number: NNS061031-15
Release Date: 10/31/2006 7:01:00 PM
Top News Story - Editors should consider using these stories first in local publications.
From Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet declared Oct. 31 that the sunken submarine recently discovered by divers in the Western Pacific is, indeed, the World War II submarine USS Wahoo (SS 238).
"After reviewing the records and information, we are certain USS Wahoo has been located," said Adm. Gary Roughead, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander. “We are grateful for the support of the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and appreciate greatly the underwater video footage of the submarine provided by our Russian navy colleagues, which allowed us to make this determination. This brings closure to the families of the men of Wahoo - one of the greatest fighting submarines in the history of the U.S. Navy."
In July, the Russian dive team “Iskra” photographed wreckage lying in about 213 feet (65 meters) of water in the La Perouse (Soya) Strait between the Japanese island of Hokkaido and the Russian island of Sakhalin. The divers were working with The Wahoo Project Group, an international team of experts coordinated by Bryan MacKinnon, a relative of Wahoo’s famed skipper, Cmdr. Dudley W. “Mush” Morton.
“I am very pleased to be part of an effort where old adversaries have joined together as friends to find the Wahoo,” said MacKinnon.
Wahoo was last heard from Sept. 13, 1943, as the Gato-class submarine departed the island of Midway en route to the “dangerous, yet important,” Sea of Japan. Under strict radio silence, Morton and his crew proceeded as ordered. Radio contact was expected to be regained with Midway in late October upon Wahoo’s departure from the Sea of Japan through the Kurile Island chain. No such contact was made. Following an aerial search of the area, Wahoo was officially reported missing Nov. 9, 1943.
At the time, the loss of Wahoo was believed due to mines or a faulty torpedo. But Japanese reports later stated that one of its planes had spotted an American submarine in the La Perouse Strait Oct. 11, 1943. These reports indicate a multi-hour combined sea and air attack involving depth charges and aerial bombs finally sunk Wahoo.
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force retired Vice Adm. Kazuo Ueda assisted the group with providing historical records from the Imperial Japanese Navy that identified the location where Wahoo was sunk.
“We, the families of Wahoo, recognize the historical scholarship and support provided by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. We would also like to send our thanks to the U.S. Navy for their diligence in finding and identifying the USS Wahoo,” said Doug Morton, son of Dudley Walker Morton.
“The Morton family is thrilled that there will be closure to the loss of our father,” added Morton, who also spoke on behalf of his sister, Edwina Thirsher and her family. “The loss of a famous submariner who was loved by his family and crew has been very difficult.”
During Wahoo’s rare foray in the Sea of Japan, Morton reportedly sunk at least four Japanese ships. For the patrol, Morton was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross – his fourth.
Morton is credited with sinking 19 ships totaling nearly 55,000 tons during his four patrols in command of Wahoo; his total was second only to his own executive officer, Richard H. O’Kane. Retired Rear Adm. O’Kane went on to command USS Tang (SS 306) and to receive the Medal of Honor.
Noted naval historian Theodore Roscoe described Morton as “an undersea ace” in his book “Submarine Operations in World War II.”
“Few skippers equaled Morton’s initiative, and none had a larger reserve of nerve,” Roscoe wrote. “Combining capability with dynamic aggressiveness, Morton feared nothing on or under the sea.”
The discovery of Wahoo is the culmination of more than a decade of work by an international team dedicated to finding the ill-fated submarine. In 2004, electronic surveys sponsored by a major international energy company (The Sakhalin Energy Investment Corporation) identified the likely site.
The Bowfin Museum in Hawaii worked with the team as an independent “scrutineer” to ensure the project was done correctly and will serve as a central repository for all the Wahoo Project’s findings, according to museum executive director, submariner, and retired Navy Capt. Jerry Hofwolt.
“This is the right thing to do for the families,” Hofwolt said. “We want to be able to tell people that this is where your loved ones are and to be a clearinghouse for all of the information about this and other lost submarines.”
Hofwolt said the museum is making plans to host a memorial ceremony to honor the crew members, most likely in October 2007.
Officials with the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force reviewed analysis and photos provided by the Bowfin Museum and agreed the wreck is Wahoo. The wreck had several characteristics consistent with Wahoo, and the submarine was found very near those reported in Imperial Japanese Navy records. Photographs are available at warfish.com and oneternalpatrol.com. General information about the USS Wahoo Project is available at usswahoo.org.
Wahoo is believed to be near the site of the Russian submarine L-19, possibly sunk by mines in late August 1945 after Japan had surrendered. Based on the information made available to them by The Wahoo Project Group, the Russian team wished to confirm the site was Wahoo and not the L-19. According to The Wahoo Project Group Web site, the group has offered continued assistance to the Russian government in finding that submarine as well.
In addition to the ceremony to be held in Pearl Harbor, U.S. Navy officials are planning an at-sea, wreath-laying service sometime next year to pay tribute to Wahoo. If it can be arranged, a combined service with the Russians and Japanese to honor Wahoo and the Russian submarine L-19, as well as the respective Japanese losses, is also a possibility.
The Navy has no plans to salvage or enter the Wahoo wreck. Naval tradition has long held that the sea is a fitting final resting place for Sailors lost at sea. The Sunken Military Craft Act protects military wrecks, such as Wahoo, from unauthorized disturbance.
Wahoo’s discovery comes on the heels of a similar discovery of USS Lagarto (SS 371), which the Navy confirmed was found in the Gulf of Thailand in June.
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the brave men on Wahoo and to all of our WWII submariners who performed so magnificently during the war. Much of our submarine force heritage, and many of our traditions, can be traced back to their legacy.” said Rear Adm. Jay Donnelly, deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “One of my favorite quotes is from Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz who, after the war, said: ‘We salute those gallant officers and men of our submarines who lost their lives in that long struggle. We shall never forget our submariners that held the lines against the enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds.’”
According to Pacific Fleet submarine history, the submarine force remained intact following the attack on Pearl Harbor. It became clear at that time the submarine fleet would take the fight to the enemy. By war’s end, submarines had supported all major fleet operations and made more than 1,600 war patrols. Pacific Fleet submarines, like Wahoo, accounted for 54 percent of all enemy shipping sunk during the war. Success was costly. Fifty-two submarines were lost, and nearly 3,600 submariners remain on “Eternal Patrol.”
For related news, visit the Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cpf/.
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Bryan, My Grandmother's brother was lost on the Wahoo. I have a set of original photos taken from the periscope of Japenese cargo and naval ships being sunk. Some members of my family are hoping there will be a memorial with the surviving family members. Any idea on that?
Bryan,
Great site, my great uncle was on the Wahoo when she went down. Is there a planned public memorial?
Doug Ehrle: email address: flygunz64@hotmail.com
Folks,
There is a memorial planned at Pearl Harbor next October to honor the crew. The best place to look is at www.bowfin.org.
-- Bryan
I recently came upon this letter from Captain Morton to my Grandfather, Captain H.G. Donald, who apparently went to bat for him, and helped get him his commission.
I have posted images of the letter here:
http://www.peterkrogh.com/morton_donald/
Peter Krogh
Is there a listing of the names of the crewmen lost on the Wahoo?
For the complete list of everyone who sailed on the Wahoo including the final patrol, look at:
http://www.warfish.com/sailfrm.html
To the Holmes Family relief with our exhaustion of the spirits We are most delighted to finly hear the most exhilarating news that our brave uncle William Howell Holmes of war has been finally located after so many years of being in their dark hidden grave of the unknown for our great country.
I could only imagine what these brave souls incounted during their last and final hours that is why I am here I want to know the story of the great Wahoo and it's adventure to a uncertain fate.
I also wish it to known that my uncle William Howell Holmes was a worthy hero to all who remembers the USS Wahoo and this hasty war.
My best wishes to the families who had crew members on this great sub
may god be with u
In the 1940's Commander Morton and his family lived in Los Angeles, a few houses north of my home. I was a teenager. My sister was a baby-sitter for both Doug and Edwina. I knew the kids but not as well as my sister Mary Louise Hagopian. This is her sister, Jeanette Hagopian.
When on leave, Commander Morton took us to the set of Destination Tokyo, a movie staring Cary Grant, all about submarines on patrol. Commander Morton also took us to Hollywood radio programs where he was a guest -- Dinah Shore is the one I remember.
Commander Morton wrote Vmails to my brother John. I wish the written letters could be found. John says he does not know what happened to them.
We were so proud of Commander Morton and what he did while fighting in the Pacific. We loved him and what he stood for. We were very, very sad to hear he had been lost at sea.
His wife and children moved to the East . My sister Mary Louise, saw Mrs. Morton once on a visit to the East Coast. As for me, I will never forget that handsome man, a hero for a 14, 15 or 16 year old girl.
Hello to Doug and Edwina. You do not know me but perhaps you remember my sister Mary Louise. We lived on Highland, down the street from your home while you lived in Los Angeles.
I am so happy the Wahoo has been found. There is a museum in Bremerton, Washington which has a lot of information and pictures of the Wahoo and Commander Morton. I loved a visit there to bring back memories of your family.
Enjoy the Christmas Season.
Jeanette Hagopian Dippell
9802 Club Place Lane
Carmel, California 93923
(831) 622-9982
Jeanette
Thank you for the kind posting. I will pass it on to the Morton family which I'm sure will be pleased to see it.
If you have any more recollections you'd like to share, please post them here or send me email directly at bryan@mackinnon.org
Hi, I am from Denmark and reading military history as a hobby. I went to the 60th aniversary at Pearl Harbor dec 7 2001. This spring I bought the book "the bravest man" telling the story about Dick O Kaane. In the book the sinking of the Wahoo is mentioned and I wondered where the Wahoo was resting and how it would look today. Now I know, and I would like to send my thought and best wishes. Wahoo wil not be forgotten.
As a retired submariner from the Cold War. I served on two fast attacks and as COB onboard two 640 Class FBM's. I can't find the words that convey my appreciation to all of the folks who worked so hard to locate Wahoo. My Uncle Mike served onboard USS Scabbardfish SS-397 during WWII and he told me much about the sacrifice that so many of the sailors made in the name of freedom. As a way of honoring the sacrifice of the men USS Wahoo I am in the process of creating in CORELDraw CAD/CAE an accurate detailed illustration of her showing the internal and outboard arrangements. When my project is finished I would like to donate it to the Mckinnon family and a copy to the Naval Submarine Museum in Groton CT. I've contacted the Floating Drydock for photographic copies and drawings to help me in my efforts. If you know of any other sources I would certainly appreciate it. Thanks
I just finished reading a book titled "Wake of the Wahoo". It was printed in 1958 by a Yeoman 2nd class who was onboard for the 2nd thru the next to the last voyage.
A remarkable book, very enjoyable to read, and me mentions in detail, what life about the Wahoo was like.
I am sure it is out of print as this type of book is not in step with the political climate we are forced to endure.
After I finished the book, the thought suddenly occured to me, that the author may have intended a double meaning with the title. (Wake of the Wahoo) He was very close to many of the sailors who lost their life aboard the Wahoo and I think it was his memorial to them. A "Wake" in the funeral sense. Great reading. Find it if you can.
You'll be happy to know that the book "Wake of the Wahoo" is indeed in print and can be found on Amazon.com and other retail outlets.
Bob,
Regarding your comment project about the final configuration, that looks like an excellent project. I'd love to be able to put it on the web site. In addition to Groton, I know the sub museum at Pearl Harbor will be interested.
I have photos of her final configuration that I got from the National Archives. Send me an email at: bryan@mackinnon.org and I can send you anything I have.
Hi, With all of the books and information available, I was wondering if you could tell me which resource would be most helpful in researching the crew. I am a relative of Norman C. Ware and I am interested in finding information concerning his service on the Wahoo. Thank you, Richard T. Bowman
Have been interested in the USS Wahoo since 1971 when I was in the USN and read a book by George Grider. I've since read books by O'Kane and Sterling and any other blurbs I can. There is a book about Wahoos officers that I would like to read but I don't know the name. By the way in the USN I flew on a P-3 anti-submarine and recon aircraft. Spent 2 days aboard a sub in an exchange with the sub forces. Is there anybody who is planning to make a movie of this fantastic story. From Wahoos building to sinking there is an abundance of books and information on the subject. A movie, if done well, would be a real blockbuster (sorry about that reference).
Steve
New Smyrna Beach, FL
I can recommend two other books that cover the Wahoo commanders in depth "Unrestricted Warfare" by DeRose and "The Bravest Man" by Tuohy.
Hello,
I am also building a model of Wahoo using the Trumpeter 1/144 scale kit.
I am modeling the boat as as she appeared at Pearl following her 3rd patrol, 1st under Morton. She will fly the "sun za bitches" pennant, have a broom in the shears, etc. Since this model is full hull (not waterline)I have a question for serving submariners...
What condition was the hull below the waterline after 6 months at sea in the Pacific? Barnacles? Huge growth? Not so much? I dopn't want to model weeds, but barnacles would be OK. I am going to weather the boat accordingly, with figures on the bridge, etc.
Any help appreciated!
Thanks
Thanks Bryan for doing what you do...
Do you think that the PRC will ever allow an expedition to find Tang? She is relatively shallow like Wahoo, and in a relatively known location. I wonder if the Chinese plundered her?
Hello Bryan,
I am trying to find information on what I hear is the 64th anniversary now that they have found the great USS Wahoo
I would like to attend the solemn ceremony at Pearl Harbor.
If you have any information, or anything I could do that would be
great.
Thank You
Scott Horseman
Scott.Horseman@asatrvl.com
For the most up to date information on the Memorial Ceremony for USS Wahoo, please see www.oneternalpatrol.com/wahoo-memorial.htm
Also, feel free to contact me at education@bowfin.org
Charles R. Hinman
I have ALWAYS loved the Silent Service and wish that I had been old enough to serve on WWII subs. Mush Morton was my hero because he took the fight to the enemy. Im am sure the amount od subs lost was expensive but they made Japan pay dearly. Commander OKane was my hero too. Damn! such good men lost doing thier duty.I saw the list of lost subs at the USS Texas memorial.Tha5t was a good ship too.
For all the bravery and resolute courage that the doomed sailors on the USS Wahoo exhibited, I only wish that this black mark on thier records (shooting surviving Imperial sailors in lifeboats) would not have happened. However hypocraxy abounds, the Bitish tried and executed German sailors who did the same while the British regularly shot German sailors in lifeboats. And so it goes, as Kurt Vonnegut might say. There is no honor in war, only victory and the winners write its horrible heinous history. Obviously, we would be appalled if the issue were exactly the opposite, (and I am sure it happened) the Japanese shot our US sailors in lifeboats. There is nothing glorious about this black mark upon their mission, sorry to say. War makes hypocrites of us all. May they all rest in peace.
Any executing of survivors at sea is shameful and this link suggests that we are all at fault, and even our own propaganda was loaded with lies. So it goes, as it is the way of modern warfare, and nothing to be vainglorious about, just very sad:
http://www.aiipowmia.com/inter21/in042601.html -U-Boot Kreigsmarine, Japanese Empire, Bristish Navy or our own, it's still a horror and nothing more than inhumane.
I have really enjoyed the information about the Wahoo and "Mush" Morton. My dad went to the dedication of a memorial to "Mush" in Owensboro a short while ago. I believe Senator Wendel Ford was part of the dedication ( also from Owensboro ). My dad is not much on internet so I have printed out some of the blogs and taken it to himn to read. Mush is his cousin once removed, I guess my second cousin. Again Thanks !
Scotty Rowe, Frankfort, Ky
My name is Ron Rosenhahn and I grew up near Mare Island Naval Ship Yard. My Dad was a coppersmith at Mare Island and when Wahoo was built he helped build her. He was on the crew that installed the plumbing in Wahoo. When Whahoo was lost, as a small child I can remember my Dad and Uncle Joe Kasser talking about Wahoo. My E-mail is rosenhahn@msn.com. I am interested in anything about the Uss Wahoo
Ron
I'd be intrested in any photos or stories you have about your Father's time at Mare Island. If you can, please post them here or send them to bryan@mackinnon.org
Writing up an obituary for the paper I work at led me to this website. The deceased gentleman, Mr. Stanley Davis, was said to serve on the USS Wahoo and I wasn't sure if that was a real sub's name. To my surprise, it is! I don't have any dates, but he served during the first few patrols, I believe.
Wonderful job on the website.
ceej, there was not a Stanley Davis on the WWII USS Wahoo (SS238) lists. Perhaps he was on the subsequent USS Wahoo (SS565)?
Thanks for the message.
Dudley Morton and the crew of the Wahoo were heroic Americans. I am writing a manuscript about veterans from the Town of Pelham NY. In many of the descriptions of Morton he is listed as being from Scarsdale, NY which is very close to pelham. A WWII veteran who also happened to be a submarine sailor became a science teacher at pelham memorial HS. He told me recently that Doug Morton had been a student of his in Pelham. Is it possible that Harriet Morton lived in Pelham during the 1950s or 60s?
Many thanks,
Ken Kraetzer
www.legionpost50ny.com
kgk914@aol.com
914-630-3457
Am working through ND Senators
Dorgan and Conrad to get a new
Attack Sub named the "North Dakota."
My uncle Lt. Cmdr. V.L.Skjonsby was
XO to Morton in Sept. '43 when she
went down.
He was from Hickson, ND and is honored on the wall of the Naval
Academy.
I'M USAF in North Dakota Veterans
Home - NDVH.
Doing what I can to preserve the
memory of these men who wore the
uniform.
Please include me in future
developments.
David J. Skjonsby
1400 Rose St. - P.O. Box 673
Lisbon, ND 58054-0673
davidjskjonsby@hotmail.com
aka uncledavidoldguy
Admiral Payne was the last surviving officer to serve in USS Wahoo (SS-238)...rest in peace.
http://war-fish.blogspot.com/2008/11/rear-admiral-roger-w-paine-jr-1917-2008.html
Admiral Paine was well loved. God rest his soul.
In 1968, steaming across the South China Sea, a 19yr. old US Marine aboard CV-9 Essex, I'd sit with my backside to a capstan in the focs'l. Looking out to the surface, I'd wonder about Wahoo and her crew and say a prayer for them and all our lost Navy seamen and Marines. I'd read "Wake of the Wahoo" while in 3rd Grade; the most moving tribute to U.S. defenders I've yet seen. Xmas of 2008, my closest friend, a former Navy Corpsman, gave me a new copy of the book. I get waves of intense feelings just holding it; a connection I can't explain. A Vietnam vet, I know the comradeship one develops for his cohorts. My thanks for this site and its bloggers. Don Roach, Cpl., USMC (Ret.)usmcsempfi@comcast.net
Hi Bryan,
After reading Richard O'Kane's book "Wahoo" I became hooked. Of course I had to read his next book "Clear The Bridge", which resulted in contacting him by letter. I corresponded for a short while with him in that manner and have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I now have both books autographed by him and treasure them both. I also contacted his former exec, Murray Frazee of the Tang, to encourage him to record his experiences during the war. I recieved a nice return letter from him, but to my knowledge, that has not happened.
Do you know otherwise?
But my main point in "blog" is to let you know that you have done a wonderful job keeping the memory of the Wahoo and her crew alive. "Mush" Morton was in my opinion a great leader, and it is fitting that they should be remembered as the heroes that they truly are.
For anyone willing to take a closer look at Sterling's book "Wake of the Wahoo" or Grider's book "Warfish", you will see the qualities of a man that knew how to lead and encourage men. The results speak for themselves.
Tem Rumsey
trumsey238@gmail.com
I first found a paperback book named "Pigboats" back in the early 1980's at the airport in Houston while waiting for a friend to arrive. I was instantly hooked on submarines of WWII. Next found O'Kane's "Clear the Bridge" and later "Wahoo". I was so imspired by O'Kane's book that I tracked him down and chatted with him at length several times, and after he died his wife phoned to let me know.
I know of his lifetime effort to get Morton awarded the CMOH, I offered to write letters also but he made it clear this was his effort so I backed off and honored his effort being done for his friend.
These people are my heroes, I'm 57 and the war was before my birth, but these folks are what the true meaning of hero is all about. Their books have moved me, touched my heart and made me feel I owe them all such a huge debt of gratitude. I thanked Dick O'Kane for what all he'd done for all of us back home, especially for the rough times he'd endured as a POW. What a great man he was!
Recent books such as "Thunder Below" by Eugene Flucky make me realize the quality of people I have missed in this world of ours. Though I sat and chatted with Fluckey at a book signing I could have spent months sitting and listening to him talk. He would certainly be my choice for a Readers Digest "Most Interesting Person I Ever Met" article.
They broke the mold after people like these. People call football stars and movie stars heroes, but they aren't even in the same galaxy as those who gave their all for the rest of us to be sitting here writing and communication in English instead of German or Japanese.
I'm proud to have met the few of them I've been lucky enough to have talked to, I feel blessed! I hope Dick O'Kane is finally at peace, I know he was haunted all through life because of the loss of so many of his crew left behind, he never forgot about them, not ever! Rest in peace brave Submariners!
The only regret I have is I have never seen my Uncle, Van House. I have heard my mother talk about him seen pictures of him and his wife that still loves him dearly has told me about my uncle but nothing is like being able to talk to him. You know a lot of families have lost a lot because of those dictator's that started WWII.
The killing of innocent Indian soliders and defenseless Japanesss soliders, after sinking a transport ship. Iam sorry but Commander MORTON IS NO HERO IN MY EYES.
Don't forget Mush Morton was receiving updates of new atrocoties commited by the Japanese and for every extra aggressive act commited by Mush Morton the Japanese were sure to counter with their own. That's war. John Kennedy was stationed in the Pacific Theater only after being warned to stay away from some German girl who was a known spy. He had a cushy assignment among the Washington DC elite and thought his dad could get him out of it but it didn't happen. So he ended up in the Pacific Theater and was enjoying a nice nap along with every other crewmember, including the lookouts, in his PT109 and was rammed by a Japanese destroyer. Mush Morton is beyond compare.
Will there ever be a dive and inspection of the Wahoo by the US Navy or other group or organization? If so, what is the status? Additionally, is there any plan a foot to search for the Tang?
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There is no plan at present to make another dive on the Wahoo site. It would be interesting to get a full survey resources permitting. However, all things being equal, I'd suggest searching for other wrecks would be a better application of limited resources.
Regarding the Tang, there have been some discussions for some time about trying to access the site. But there is no formal project currently underway to my knowledge.
My mother-in-law's uncle was on the Uss Wahoo. She has found all sorts of things related to the USS Wahoo. She thought she had read that there was a museum or memorial to the USS Wahoo in San Diego California. She would like to donate these things, but we don't know where to start. She was given the name of a Doug Smay(?).
Racingbsbe
There are several memorials to the wahoo around the US and one even in Japan. The best one I know is the Bowfin submarine museum at pearl harbor. They have a prominent display on the wahoo. Feel free to contact me directly if you wish more info at bryan@mackinnon.org
Brian, are you and your family all right? What a terrible disaster. Ironically right at the La Peruese Steraights. Tom, Cathy, Harriet and I are doing well. Corinne and Britany are in college. Brittany will enter UT in the fall. Life has been going alng well and we are experiencing few glitches. I look forward to hearing from you. If you are still monitoring this sight. Taqke care and be well. Wina
Edwina, we are doing fine. I was in Singapore on a business trip when it hit but just arrived back.
Hats off to the Japanese. A flawless overnight flight into Tokyo Haneda airport. And the young lady at the bus ticket counter politely cautioned me that my bus ride home may take a bit longer than normal due to the earthquake. I will take that any day.
I my name is Daniel R Hayes Jr. My Great Uncle served on the USS Wahoo when it went down would love to know if any one has any photos or anything of interest. My Great Uncle was Dean M. Hayes. We would love to get anything that was issued to the family for my father Dean Hayes,
was his uncle. My son who is in the USMC is deployed in Afganstan, and he would love the info. email is danny.hayes@usfood.com
Dan, Dean Hayes was a an electricians mate on the Wahoo from Patrols 2 through 7. He was a Canadian from BC it seems. Have you read "Wake of the Wahoo" by Forrest Sterling? He seemed to know Hayes well and refers to him several times in the book.
Hello not sure if this site is still active but I am contacting you in regards to Norman C Ware I have info pics medals please contact me 571 230 5732 pnutseale@gmail.com or sealeME@aol.com
Philip, thank you for your post, I will be contacting you regarding Chief Electricians Mate Norman Ware, who was lost on the 7th Patrol.
Anyone interested in a signed copy of Wahoo by Richard H. O'Kane ?
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Hello, I may have a photo of Mush Morton as a very young midshipman. It is different from the one commonly used. I'd like to get it to the family or an place of honor. Thank you for your time. Scotdocx@ gmail.com
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