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I was visiting my great uncle in Vermont during vacation, and I noticed he had some stuff on a shelf. I was looking at a framed picture of a man in a WWII uniform. My great uncle caught me looking and told me that's my great aunt's uncle, a submarine captain during WWII. I didn't think about this until a few months later when I looked him up and realized that my great aunt's uncle is Richard O'Kane!
My parents were married in July 1943 here in Texas. Two days after the ceremony, my dad was shipped off to join the crew of the Tang. For the remainder of the war, I can imagine how anxious my mom was not knowing if her new husband would ever come home. I believe, and according to my mom, my dad had completed Fourth Patrol, and as fate would have it he came down with Hepatitis or..., and was scrubbed from the fateful Fifth Patrol. When my dad returned from service, life as he knew it away from a submarine was all he wanted and to get back to the new wife he left behind after fighting for his country. For some personal reason he had, and I suspect for fate intervening on him, he never talked about his time on the Tang. Most of the responses were that 'he served" and where he had been. His refusal to talk about it may have been attributed to all the men who perished on the Fifth Patrol and how he could have been one of them. He passed away in 1989 so the complete story of his time on the Tang went with him. My researching for S1 Frank G. Carrisales continues.
Wow, what an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing that and thank you to your father for his service. I suspect your suspicion of the fate of the Tang being the reason for him not wanting to talk about it to be correct. Can only imagine the unwarranted guilt he felt. Again, thank you to your father for his service, an American hero!
My Dad was an enlisted man Petty Officer 2nd Class Motor Machinist. He repaired the Submarines on Midway Island. He had an opportunity to go on a patrol with the USS Shark. However, he was bumped by an Officer. The Shark never returned from that patrol. Fate?
@@MrShenyang1234 Good fortune favours the brave. It's not right to compare the value to the nation of each one of the four primary military services, for without even one of them and the rich culture of service and protection they provide to ensure our wellbeing our lives would be much poorer and unsettled. They should never ever be underfunded. Of the many opportunities we have to serve our country, the military and civilian disciplined services, Fire, Police and Ambulance require members to put their lives on the live for us so that we don't need to.
My Uncle Floyd Merle Caverly was on the Tang. He was one of the nine survivors. He passed in February 2011 two weeks shy of his 93 birthday.my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting with him in June of 2010. He had a great sense of humor still after all the survivors endured during their capture by the Japanese after the Tang sunk
My father was one of the 22 Navy flyers rescued by O'Kane at Truk Lagoon in 1944. I believe that he is the reason I am sitting here writing this post. My father and his rear gunner were the last of the 22 to be picked out of the water as it was getting almost too dark to see them. I totally agree with the other comments about O'Kane's book "Clear the Bridge". Great read.
Brilliant comment and from an English man who lost his grandfather abourd HMS Celendine in 1944 I am grateful for our American cousins and all our #WW2 Allies. 👍 ☘️
I spent 20 years on nuclear submarines, and can't imagine what life on one of those WWII diesel boats must have been like. Terrifying to say the least.
The USS Cod, USS Tang, USS Thresher, were among the finest crews in American history they put there selves in harms way every day they were at sea, i feel very proud of them and there crews service to our Country RIP all world war twom subs.
When you're so deadly that the only thing that can defeat you is yourself. RIP USS Tang and its crew. If only the US navy at that time develop new torpedoes after knowing the defect of the Mark 14. USS Tang's reputation and many US submarines reputation would be much greater.
As a brand new viewer, I must compliment you for your outstanding attention to detail and editing, but most of all, for your respect for the fallen crew members of the USS Tang. I just subscribed to your channel.
Appreciate the kind words Jeff! I hope that you’ll be able to appreciate the increased quality in production between this video and my most recent videos lol. Thanks for watching and have a great week :)
@@HiddenHistoryYT Well, if they are even better than this, I will indeed enjoy them! (I find it odd how other people hit the like on a comment intended for someone else; it's just weird!)
America's defective torpedoes in the first two years of the war is a long and sad story. It took almost two years of wartime trials and tribulations, but American submariners were finally equipped with reliable and effective torpedoes. The Bureau of Ordnance and the Newport Torpedo Station were guilty of designing and issuing an entire generation of faulty torpedoes. There were so many defects, it saved dozens of Japanese ships, even warships. Wasn't it Admiral Christie, from Bureau of Ordinance, who was later put in charge of our submarines, and denied for two years, that our torpedoes were defective? He even transferred our sub captains, because they couldn't produce more sinkings with what turned out to be bad torpedoes. What a scandal.
The really dark part is that all 3 of these defects were found and fixed (or at least proved so faulty that they just inactivated the magnetic exploder without approval) by the operational fleet. The attitude of the "Torpedo gang" at Newport was "we built it, it has to be perfect", "It has to be the fault of the operators and their slipshod procedures" or words to that effect. They couldn't even bother to do a few live firings until well into the war (there were, I believe only 1, maybe 2 test shots during the production/testing cycle) to verify/debunk what the fleet was telling them. I think one of the Pissed Off skippers in 1 patrol report requested grappling hooks so they could at least peel the plates off the sides of the merchant ships as the torpedoes weren't doing any good! With a fully functional torpedo, the Battle for the Phillipines may not have been lost - or at least would have taken a lot longer. At the time of the surrender of the Luzon forces on Bataan, the Japanese were actually out-manned by the Allies (though they were in better shape physically), were starting to run short of supplies, and were thinking of having to go on the defensive and re-think the attack plan. This may have been enough of a respite for our troops to get reorganized, rested and re-supplied. If we could have sunk several troop transports and/or supply ships that would have further reduced their man-power and supplies available.... Yeah, Adm. Christie was the main antagonist for our Submarine folks. It was Adm. Charles Lockwood and his folks who did the sleuthing to find and fix the defects.
Because Australia was at the end of the supply chain, SUBPAC (Lockwood) would rotate newer/overhauled boats to SUBSOWESPAC (Christie) so that the older boats in Australia could rotate back to the states for overhaul/modernization. Skippers would leave Pearl Harbor with the magnetic exploders de-activated, and when they came under SUBSOWESPAC orders they had to re-activate them. Very demoralizing. A good resource is "Silent Victory" by Clay Blair Jr. It goes into many things about our Submarine offensive against Japan that most books (because they usually celebrated a single submarine/Captain) didn't have the breadth to cover - even the warts like the torpedo issue and ineffective skippers. It is a long read 800+ pages) as it covers almost every aspect of the Submarine offensive (including synopses of just about every War patrol), but it is an engaging read and moves along well.
They also forgot how superior the Japanese Long Lances were, If they could capture one of these torps, they should've copied it and use it against the Japanese. But the US BurOrd were either too ignorant or didn't really aware of their torpedo problems, plus the failure of the Naval Intelligence to recognize how superb the Long Lances were
@@michaelcourtright4314., the BuOrd is a prime example of what happens when bureaucrats have too much power. Their heads seem to go into places God never meant for objects to be and the results of breathing their own anal gasses seems to prevent them from ever being able to admit they screwed up! Then you add a Democrat congressman named Andrew May to the mix and it's a wonder any of our subs survived the war. In 1943, Andrew May, chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee, embarked on a tour of American military areas in the Pacific Theater, during which he was privy to a host of sensitive war-related information. When he returned that June, he held a press conference, where he revealed that American submarines only had a high survival rate because the Japanese charges were exploding at too shallow a depth. Ten subs and over 800 men paid with their lives for that (I can't post the words here) IDIOT'S big mouth! The fires of hell couldn't be punishment enough for men like him.
I highly reccomend the book "Escape From The Deep"...its about the Tang. Excellent reading. You really get a sense of the terror those men went through and the never ending toll it took on their lives. They were so brave and courageous but their lives were forever altered. Praise to our brave veterans...thank all of you.
I just ordered Escape from the deep (thanks), I often tell people to get WAHOO By Richard O'kane (bantam books version was way cheaper back in the day) and Clear the bridge by O'kane both are great books (there was even a Bantam books version of Clear the Bridge call just Tang), I wore out my first copy of clear the bridge as I read it over and over again thru out the years
My Uncle Stewart S.Imowld MoMM3c was one of the crew that went down with USS Tang SS306 on her last patrol in the Formosa Strait . Tang's contribution to the War Effort in the Pacific was outstanding and it is good to hear their contribution to that effort is recognized as number 1 . Without the Non commissioned men on board Captain Richard H. O'Kane, USN would not have successful patrols or even been able to leave the dock ! It takes an entire submarine crew to sink a ship not just a Captain . Leadership runs down through the ranks all tho it starts with the Commanding Commissioned Officers .
That is very interesting to hear, I appreciate you sharing. There are no words I can give that express the appropriate gratitude for your Uncle’s sacrifice. He is an American hero who’s memory will not be forgotten! I couldn’t agree more that the noncommissioned men were an absolutely vital role.
It is a sad fact of life that brass always get the glory for the actions of a ship or sub. Maybe that's why I have never had much respect for officers of any branch. As a Vietnam era vet I say a deep heartfelt thank you to the brave men of the greatest generation.
My Dad was on PT boat's and I miss all those brave men. I read about the USS Tang many years ago and wore the cover off it. They're such great soul's and heavenly peace to all of them
Thank you for watching! I greatly appreciate the kind words. Yes, WW2 is an obsession at this point haha. I just wish that there was more footage out there to use!
The book "War Fish" by Grider and Simms is also a good read. George Grider started WWWII on the USS Wahoo and rode her for several war patrols. In the book are details of these patrols where Mush Morton was the CO and Dick O'Kane was the XO of the Wahoo. Those patrols became legend as some of the greatest actions by submarines in WWII. George Grider ended the war as CO of the Flasher and Dick O'kane transferred off the Wahoo to become CO of the Tang. Sadly, the Wahoo was lost with all hands during her next patrol in the Sea of Japan
Dick O'Kane was a true bad-ass! The best sub commander in the entire USN! He even had an ice cream machine installed on the Tang! I was humbled while visiting him in Arlington - a true hero - who - like the History Guy is known to say - deserves to be remembered - and I will add - honored. Rest well sir and thank you.
I really enjoy the eternal patrol at the end of your videos. Honoring those that serve is very important. Without these service men and women our country would fall.
My father Served as forward torpedo man on the Tang I would love any information on Seaman John Thomas Boice as to his service and injuries Where he received Purple Heart with clusters he was not on the tang when it sank but on sub tender died at 51 year’s of age in 1978 please any chance information please
While this book won't give you any direct information on your father it will give you a clue as to the fine men he served with and his captain. The book is named Clear the Bridge, written by Rear Admiral Richard O'Kane MOH. If you ever get to Tampa Florida there is a memorial for the submarine at Tampa's veteran memorial Park. This includes a plaque with the members of the crew still on patrol. I don't know if any of this interests you but I thought I would share with you. Richard O'Kane is one of my heroes in this world along with his boat the USS Tang and those who sailed on her.
When I was in High School, I remember reading a book on WWII submarine warfare, 'Killer Kand', and Mush Morton are names I still remember....Death was pretty certain....but at least they did not have to sleep in the mud. -Veteran '66-68
I had to reread the paragraph 3 times when he matter of factly describes the torpedo running back at them. I was 14, I'm 62. I've never forgotten that book, just as all of us
I strongly recommend the book clear the bridge by Richard O'Kane. He is an absolute hero. Based on his writing style I think I would have got along pretty well with him and social situations. He was an incredibly Brave commanding officer.
Clear The Bridge is one of the best books I have ever read. Wahoo is a great read also. and don't forget Thunder Below by Eugene Fluckey about the USS Barb.
Excellent presentation! Born and Raised in Vallejo California, home of Mare Island Navy Shipyard. Great photographs of the early years of this town. Subscribed.
My father served aboard the USS Flying Fish, ss229, a sister Gato Class sub and later on a sister class submarine, USS Argonaut (ii), ss475, another sister class to the Gato and Balao Class of submarines, Tench Class.
@@HiddenHistoryYT my father's submariner service was semi Post WWII. His service extwnded into the USAF as he was out of the USN 3 months when the Korean War was "official". There is more to that story which does included humor within the story.
What wonderful men. They will be alive inside me as long as I live. Torpedoes while super dangerous to the enemy can be just as bad for her crew. The Tang could have turned as hard as she could to starboard then the circling torpedo would have only one attempt to strike her and be diving to any possible depth to reduce size presented to as little as possible. I'm sure as soon as she saw her torpedo turn she would be flooding everything possible to escape. To those who are the most capable the most is asked. To those who have much much will be given.
If you ever get to the Tampa Florida area on US 301 there is the Veteran's Memorial Park there period in that Park they have a plaque honoring the USS tang and the crew that are still on patrol.
I just happened to be reading about Richard O'Kane's former skipper, Dudley Morton, when I came across this. Gave me a lot of insight into how O'Kane operated.
@@karljordan7114 I never knew that. Of course, given where he was sunk and the nature of the damage discovered, it was almost certainly from shore based batteries. Did O'Kane say he thought an American submarine might be in the area?
Nice video, you might want to check out the story of the USS Wahoo and how David "Mush" Morton helped change the course of submarine warfare from peacetime to war time.
How ironic that with all the combat the Tang saw against the Japanese, in the end it was a faulty American torpedo that got her. It seems that American torpedoes from before WW2 even started to the end of the war were garbage. Criminal. Another well done historical video, thanks!
While I agree Kane was an aggressive Captain, I think the decision to go in with that attack and the Mark 18 torpedo was a bad decision. The Type 18 was new and the Bureau of Ordinance had a habit of faulty designs. This was a copy of a German G-7e electric torpedo that worked great. The Bureau of Ordinance managed to mess up the development when copying a working design.
Your description it incorrect the Tang was struck in the stern but the official report states that the aft torpedo room and both engine rooms were opened up to the sea. The stern then settle on the bottom with the bow sticking out of the water. With Japanese ships closing in the remaining ballast tank were blown and she settled in 187 feet of water. She was depth charged which caused a fire in the batteries. Some of the crew were still alive at that point and most probably died from either the heat or smoke. My uncle was J.A. Key SC3 on the vessel.
Thank you for the information, wish I had used your source instead. I hope that you still enjoyed the video. Thank you to your uncle J.A. Key for his service. His sacrifice has not and will not be forgotten! An American hero.
Ships Cook 3rd class and from his photo on www.oneternalpatrol.com/key-j-a.htm quite handsome. Is his name on a memorial wall at the American Cemetery, Manilla, Philippines?
My Uncle was an electrician on the USS Yahoo, for it's first three war tours, and Is listed in the book The wake of the Yahoo, as Edward Jesser, from south gate California. The ship was sunk on its fifth war tour....tough men those submariners...
From my reading on the Tang, O'Kane did not sound the Collision Alarm. I wounder if that would have helped?? Fun fact of me is that she was launched on my Birthday, only 10 earlier.
Immense thanks to all who responded to my plea for book recommendations. Just about to finish the O’Kane book. Excellent. As always a great book raises more questions. I am intrigued as to how the Navy acquired such accurate charts. Is there a book covering this?
I know in one instance the crew of the USS Wahoo found out their charts weren’t that accurate, and it turned out that a book one man had bought for his family as a souvenir actually had an accurate chart so they projected it against the wall and traced the outlines of the reefs onto their own charts. This is documented in the book “Undersea Warrior”
You said "On June 30th, Tang sighted a cargo ship, steaming without escort. She would dive deep to avoid depth charges after two torpedo misses..." Where did these depth charges come from, if this merchant were steaming unescorted?
Great video. I've read Admiral O'Kanes book on the Tang a number of times over the years. It's sitting right next to me. Love the fact you use those 'Critical Past' videos. I avoid that guy because of that ridiculous watermark, or whatever it's called, over the videos. Those videos are public domain National Archive footage and that guy has no right to claim them. Same with that 'Periscope Film' guy.
Very cool, thank you for watching! I agree, it is very annoying that put their watermark over free footage and want to charge ridiculous fees to use them.
Ok so question for the group, O’Kane mentions putting a “Crows Nest” on the Tang. Does anyone have any pictures or a good description of what this addition looked like?
Would like to see a story on how the IJN got so good at anti-submarine warfare when the USN had the best and most advanced submarines and crews in the world.
After Captain Morton and the wahoo were sunk, Richard O'kane became the best sub skipper of all time using the tactics and lessons taught him by Morton. I'm sure Mush would've been proud knowing his XO O'kane took good of his spot as the BEST after he passed away. But what if Mush Morton hadn't have died?🤔🤔🤔
I am a former "boomer" sailor during the 70's, unfortunately that last defective fish was fired while on the surface. It would have been a different story if fired from periscope depth of 64 feet
@@garys2327 you're probably right because of his prostate issues. But could you imagine if they put him in command of a Balao after seeing the damage he could do with a Gato??
I cant imagine the mental toll that living on a submarine would take on my weak millennial mind. These men are cut from a different cloth. I admire their bravery.
Dont sell yourself short. There are many millennials serving on submarines right now. There are millennials serving in combat right now. Some will say they they all have PTSD but do you really think these guys didnt? It just wasn't talked about. They didnt enjoy it anymore then you would. The big difference is the rules of engagement. Back then it was "kill and we'll sort it out later" today its "play fair" They fought a brutal war so, hopefully, you dont have to. That doesnt mean you couldnt.
@@navyreviewer Well put. I once asked my father, a Vietnqm Vet and Army Aviator why he never taught me to shoot. "I got too good at it so you wouldnt have to."
Funny you should mention that. I just didn’t mention it because of it occurring on the USS Wahoo. After I uploaded I regretted not mentioning it of course! Cool to see that someone knows about it though!
16:12 correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Germans use a copy of the Momsen Lung later in WWII? I'm pretty sure such an apparatus was used by some of the crew of Type IX U-boat U-534 to successfully escape after it sank to the bottom at a depth of 220 feet or so? I recall reading that someplace. Perhaps I'm in the wrong. I know that 5 men escaped after it sank (only 5 left as the rest all were able to abandon ship) and it's hard for me to imagine swimming that distance and surviving without such an apparatus.
@@HiddenHistoryYT Wow! Many thanks for the reply. The sinking of U-534 is some interesting history all on its own, albeit not as well known or glamorous since it mainly functioned as a training sub.
@@iananderson5050 Very cool I will have to read up on that some. It sounds like you know quite a lot about subs/are interested. You should join this Facebook group I run: facebook.com/groups/1124531634740547/
@@HiddenHistoryYT my request to join is already in haha. Subs are a passion but I study quite a lot, conflicts from the American Civil War through Korea, military aircraft development, ocean liners, steam engines/locomotives, tanks, military strategy, the list goes on and on...a little bit of everything I suppose. I always thought it would be cool to volunteer for sub service in the USN but sadly the GF put a stop to that. She said she couldn't go that long without hearing from me 🙂 Guess that just leaves destroyers if I ever wanted in on the fun stuff
Thank you to him for his service and sacrifice. He is a true American hero who we are all indebted to. I actually just redid this video (ruclips.net/video/SumNWjg3Y4k/видео.htmlsi=AD47TCV1Z5pA-ACW). Your Uncle's picture is at 18:04
My cousin, Lawrence Hall Erickson, was an engine man on the Tang went down and he did not survive. He was only 19 y/o. He was awarded the Silver Star but I do not know why. I wrote two letters to the Sec. Navy requesting info, but NO reply. Can anyone help me?
Mr. Nadeau, we are grateful of your cousin's & families sacrifice to our country, a debt we can never repay. Just a civilian, though one who cares about history, and ever respectful of the men & women who made it. I may not be able to offer any new insights or intuitions you don't already have. Your cousin was a sailor aboard USS Tang (SS306) 🇺🇸 which holds the distinction of holding the highest tonnage sunk of WW2 @ 116,454 tons. USS Tang's final patrol sank 7 ships totaling 21,772 tons. The USS Tang was awarded its second Presidential Unit Citations. As you may know it was the last of her 24 electric Mark 18 torpedoes targeting the tanker that broke surface making a hard left to circle back to strike the submarine. The Silver 🌟 for youth reading this is awarded for Gallantry In Action where America is not the aggressor. Your cousin kept the USS Tang operational and moving through her final minutes. 78 Sailors lost in this action 24 October 1944, Taiwan Strait off China, 9 picked up to be prisoners of war, others unable to stay afloat to be pulled from the sea. No question in my mind & heart, your cousin and his fellow sailors earned the Silver Star award. The aft portion of the ship was struck. If I had to speculate your cousin may have been behind a closed bulkhead at point of impact with no chance for escape. This was the only time a Momsen lung was used to escape a sunken submarine. People chasing our proud history may wish to learn more at Wikipedia, they appreciate donations to do their detailed work. More to learn at mohmuseum.org under USS Tang.
Greatly appreciate it! I need to redo this topic to be honest, was one of the very first videos I ever made and uh have come a long way since then haha. Appreciate you watching and have a fantastic week :)
@@HiddenHistoryYT if this was aan early effort I'm impressed at how you've progressed and if I were you I'd keep it as a reminder that you too started at the beginning like we all must. #OurHistory
I met Capt. O'Kane in Groton CT when he was selling his book "Clear the Bridge!" He signed it for me. I was green but recognized the stature of this man and did not understand why there was not a line to meet him and buy his book with his signature. I was graced by God to meet a man of such stature who prosecuted war against the enemy (There is no glory in war, Tecumseh Sherman). I served 10 years on boats, 4 years under the surface. It was so long ago I ask did it really happen?
Nah I think its more of a US Anti submarine convoys to Japan: We are what you wanted to be. I think the U boats would have been way more succesful if they had fought against the japanese.
@@lucakrokrowinkel9576 first of all its all about the crews and their conditions during combat, secondly the equipment First the US Subs from Gatos up to Tench class had the best crew accommodations for a sub at the time air cons, washing machines and relatively comfy berthing area. Not to mention their superb range/endurance and also electronics and sensors Secondly if you take away the faulty Mk14 torpedoes the US had the best Torpedo computer fire control at the time of all navies, if you take the German funtioning G7a torpedoes or Japanese Lonh Lances and combine them with the US TDCs they will destroy more ships. If the Germans were equipped with the US Gatos or Balaos and US TDC plus their own torpedoes they probably cause more havoc on the allied shipping in the Atlantic
Could you possibly do a similar piece on the USS Wahoo? One of the sailors entombed in her has a memorial stone, placed by his family, in the Lawnville, TN cemetery, just north of I-40 at exit 355.
US Submarine commanders during World War ll were told your mission is to sink enemy commerce IE Transport ships transporting goods ammo, oil , etc. from one location to another location . Without supplies a fighting force cannot survive ! Sinking one enemy Oil Tanker would mean that much less fuel for enemy destroyers or Battle ships ! A Ship without fuel is going no where !
Not that I know of. An "end around" is the case where the submarine may have been held down by escorts so the convoy can get away, or was just out of position when she found the target. She will surface, get out of visual range (and usually at night) using radar to maintain contact with the ship/convoy while trying to get ahead of the target. While the convoy is going at 12-15 knots, the submarine can do 18-20 knots (will depend on how much battery charging she needs to do) on the surface. After about 4-8 hours or so the submarine will (hopefully) have gained a position some miles ahead of the projected track of the ship/convoy at which point the submarine will submerge along the track of the target, wait for it to get in range and then conduct a submerged daylight periscope attack. Of course, if the skipper guesses wrong about the general direction of the target (I.E. thinks it is heading for Leyte or Luzon Island when it takes a course change and is now heading for Singapore), the submarine may be too far out of position. But sometimes the skipper just has to take a SWAG and hope for the best. Many skippers will say they were mentally flipping a coin at times like this! But, the end around was a very effective technique. Not sure what the "reach around" technique you mentioned is - don't recall ever hearing it in conjunction with submarine operations. A "reach around" (I think the technical term is an envelopment) may be a technique used by a surface fleet where you show the main fleet in front and then send a 2nd arm (or air attack) to get in behind the opposing fleet - but that is just a SWAG on my part! For land forces, if I recall correctly, a "reach around" as I think you mean would be called an envelopment.
O'Kane wrote that when he realized the Japanese sailors beating him were the same men he had tried to kill an hour before, the beating was easier to take.
My Great Uncle served as the Chief Torpedoman’s Mate and he gave up his mumson lung to his Commanding Officer Richard O'Kane, which can be verified in O'Kanes own words in his Book Clear the Bridge.
@@onemindmarketing1862 are you serios or joking, you mihght be the dumbist person in these comnemts, its clearly a samual gompers-class destroyers tender.
@@onemindmarketing1862 I served on a tender that was the second one with her name. The first one was in WW II and was sunk. I was asking a question base on an observation that the early sub tenders had canoe sterns. EN1
Well OMM you might consider glasses. The Cactus Class, from the photos I dug up have there engine rooms amid ships based on the smoke stack. The ship in the floating dry dock has her stack aft, as did many of the tenders. It would be nice to know her name and hull number.
@@Canopus68 Bill.. I'm embarrassed. Truly i am. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the disrespect i just demonstrated. After contacting my life long friend who worked at that very dry dock as a structural engineer for 37 years he confirmed that it is indeed a sub tender. It appears i have fell for some fake news, again, my apologies.
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I was visiting my great uncle in Vermont during vacation, and I noticed he had some stuff on a shelf. I was looking at a framed picture of a man in a WWII uniform. My great uncle caught me looking and told me that's my great aunt's uncle, a submarine captain during WWII. I didn't think about this until a few months later when I looked him up and realized that my great aunt's uncle is Richard O'Kane!
Incredible!
My parents were married in July 1943 here in Texas. Two days after the ceremony, my dad was shipped off to join the crew of the Tang. For the remainder of the war, I can imagine how anxious my mom was not knowing if her new husband would ever come home. I believe, and according to my mom, my dad had completed Fourth Patrol, and as fate would have it he came down with Hepatitis or..., and was scrubbed from the fateful Fifth Patrol. When my dad returned from service, life as he knew it away from a submarine was all he wanted and to get back to the new wife he left behind after fighting for his country. For some personal reason he had, and I suspect for fate intervening on him, he never talked about his time on the Tang. Most of the responses were that 'he served" and where he had been. His refusal to talk about it may have been attributed to all the men who perished on the Fifth Patrol and how he could have been one of them. He passed away in 1989 so the complete story of his time on the Tang went with him. My researching for S1 Frank G. Carrisales continues.
Wow, what an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing that and thank you to your father for his service. I suspect your suspicion of the fate of the Tang being the reason for him not wanting to talk about it to be correct. Can only imagine the unwarranted guilt he felt. Again, thank you to your father for his service, an American hero!
My Dad was an enlisted man Petty Officer 2nd Class Motor Machinist. He repaired the Submarines on Midway Island. He had an opportunity to go on a patrol with the USS Shark. However, he was bumped by an Officer. The Shark never returned from that patrol. Fate?
@@MrShenyang1234 Good fortune favours the brave.
It's not right to compare the value to the nation of each one of the four primary military services, for without even one of them and the rich culture of service and protection they provide to ensure our wellbeing our lives would be much poorer and unsettled. They should never ever be underfunded.
Of the many opportunities we have to serve our country, the military and civilian disciplined services, Fire, Police and Ambulance require members to put their lives on the live for us so that we don't need to.
He was a huge difference maker.
@@MrShenyang1234 provides
My Uncle Floyd Merle Caverly was on the Tang. He was one of the nine survivors. He passed in February 2011 two weeks shy of his 93 birthday.my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting with him in June of 2010. He had a great sense of humor still after all the survivors endured during their capture by the Japanese after the Tang sunk
Absolutely incredible! Thank you to him for his service, he is truly an American hero!
Thank you sir
My father was one of the 22 Navy flyers rescued by O'Kane at Truk Lagoon in 1944. I believe that he is the reason I am sitting here writing this post. My father and his rear gunner were the last of the 22 to be picked out of the water as it was getting almost too dark to see them. I totally agree with the other comments about O'Kane's book "Clear the Bridge". Great read.
Very cool, thank you to your father for his service!
The rescue of Navy aircraft crew was during Tang's second patrol and considered to be on lifeguard duty; no war combat.
Brilliant comment and from an English man who lost his grandfather abourd HMS Celendine in 1944 I am grateful for our American cousins and all our #WW2 Allies. 👍 ☘️
I spent 20 years on nuclear submarines, and can't imagine what life on one of those WWII diesel boats must have been like. Terrifying to say the least.
Thank you for your service!
The USS Cod, USS Tang, USS Thresher, were among the finest crews in American history they put there selves in harms way every day they were at sea, i feel very proud of them and there crews service to our Country RIP all world war twom subs.
When you're so deadly that the only thing that can defeat you is yourself. RIP USS Tang and its crew. If only the US navy at that time develop new torpedoes after knowing the defect of the Mark 14. USS Tang's reputation and many US submarines reputation would be much greater.
You're not wrong about the Mk14, but it was a Mk18 that got the Tang.
As a brand new viewer, I must compliment you for your outstanding attention to detail and editing, but most of all, for your respect for the fallen crew members of the USS Tang. I just subscribed to your channel.
Appreciate the kind words Jeff! I hope that you’ll be able to appreciate the increased quality in production between this video and my most recent videos lol. Thanks for watching and have a great week :)
@@HiddenHistoryYT Well, if they are even better than this, I will indeed enjoy them! (I find it odd how other people hit the like on a comment intended for someone else; it's just weird!)
Taps always brings tears to my eyes. Very brave men in those days.
America's defective torpedoes in the first two years of the war is a long and sad story. It took almost two years of wartime trials and tribulations, but American submariners were finally equipped with reliable and effective torpedoes. The Bureau of Ordnance and the Newport Torpedo Station were guilty of designing and issuing an entire generation of faulty torpedoes. There were so many defects, it saved dozens of Japanese ships, even warships. Wasn't it Admiral Christie, from Bureau of Ordinance, who was later put in charge of our submarines, and denied for two years, that our torpedoes were defective? He even transferred our sub captains, because they couldn't produce more sinkings with what turned out to be bad torpedoes. What a scandal.
'Failure is like onions' by Dracnifel. On RUclips.
The really dark part is that all 3 of these defects were found and fixed (or at least proved so faulty that they just inactivated the magnetic exploder without approval) by the operational fleet. The attitude of the "Torpedo gang" at Newport was "we built it, it has to be perfect", "It has to be the fault of the operators and their slipshod procedures" or words to that effect. They couldn't even bother to do a few live firings until well into the war (there were, I believe only 1, maybe 2 test shots during the production/testing cycle) to verify/debunk what the fleet was telling them. I think one of the Pissed Off skippers in 1 patrol report requested grappling hooks so they could at least peel the plates off the sides of the merchant ships as the torpedoes weren't doing any good! With a fully functional torpedo, the Battle for the Phillipines may not have been lost - or at least would have taken a lot longer. At the time of the surrender of the Luzon forces on Bataan, the Japanese were actually out-manned by the Allies (though they were in better shape physically), were starting to run short of supplies, and were thinking of having to go on the defensive and re-think the attack plan. This may have been enough of a respite for our troops to get reorganized, rested and re-supplied. If we could have sunk several troop transports and/or supply ships that would have further reduced their man-power and supplies available.... Yeah, Adm. Christie was the main antagonist for our Submarine folks. It was Adm. Charles Lockwood and his folks who did the sleuthing to find and fix the defects.
Because Australia was at the end of the supply chain, SUBPAC (Lockwood) would rotate newer/overhauled boats to SUBSOWESPAC (Christie) so that the older boats in Australia could rotate back to the states for overhaul/modernization. Skippers would leave Pearl Harbor with the magnetic exploders de-activated, and when they came under SUBSOWESPAC orders they had to re-activate them. Very demoralizing. A good resource is "Silent Victory" by Clay Blair Jr. It goes into many things about our Submarine offensive against Japan that most books (because they usually celebrated a single submarine/Captain) didn't have the breadth to cover - even the warts like the torpedo issue and ineffective skippers. It is a long read 800+ pages) as it covers almost every aspect of the Submarine offensive (including synopses of just about every War patrol), but it is an engaging read and moves along well.
They also forgot how superior the Japanese Long Lances were, If they could capture one of these torps, they should've copied it and use it against the Japanese. But the US BurOrd were either too ignorant or didn't really aware of their torpedo problems, plus the failure of the Naval Intelligence to recognize how superb the Long Lances were
@@michaelcourtright4314., the BuOrd is a prime example of what happens when bureaucrats have too much power. Their heads seem to go into places God never meant for objects to be and the results of breathing their own anal gasses seems to prevent them from ever being able to admit they screwed up! Then you add a Democrat congressman named Andrew May to the mix and it's a wonder any of our subs survived the war. In 1943, Andrew May, chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee, embarked on a tour of American military areas in the Pacific Theater, during which he was privy to a host of sensitive war-related information. When he returned that June, he held a press conference, where he revealed that American submarines only had a high survival rate because the Japanese charges were exploding at too shallow a depth. Ten subs and over 800 men paid with their lives for that (I can't post the words here) IDIOT'S big mouth! The fires of hell couldn't be punishment enough for men like him.
I highly reccomend the book "Escape From The Deep"...its about the Tang. Excellent reading. You really get a sense of the terror those men went through and the never ending toll it took on their lives. They were so brave and courageous but their lives were forever altered. Praise to our brave veterans...thank all of you.
I will have to check that out, thank you!
I just ordered Escape from the deep (thanks), I often tell people to get WAHOO By Richard O'kane (bantam books version was way cheaper back in the day) and Clear the bridge by O'kane both are great books (there was even a Bantam books version of Clear the Bridge call just Tang), I wore out my first copy of clear the bridge as I read it over and over again thru out the years
My Uncle Stewart S.Imowld MoMM3c was one of the crew that went down with USS Tang SS306 on her last patrol in the Formosa Strait . Tang's contribution to the War Effort in the Pacific was outstanding and it is good to hear their contribution to that effort is recognized as number 1 . Without the Non commissioned men on board Captain Richard H. O'Kane, USN would not have successful patrols or even been able to leave the dock ! It takes an entire submarine crew to sink a ship not just a Captain . Leadership runs down through the ranks all tho it starts with the Commanding Commissioned Officers .
That is very interesting to hear, I appreciate you sharing. There are no words I can give that express the appropriate gratitude for your Uncle’s sacrifice. He is an American hero who’s memory will not be forgotten! I couldn’t agree more that the noncommissioned men were an absolutely vital role.
It is a sad fact of life that brass always get the glory for the actions of a ship or sub. Maybe that's why I have never had much respect for officers of any branch. As a Vietnam era vet I say a deep heartfelt thank you to the brave men of the greatest generation.
Excellent point. Thank you for that.
My Dad was on PT boat's and I miss all those brave men. I read about the USS Tang many years ago and wore the cover off it. They're such great soul's and heavenly peace to all of them
Thank you to your father for his service!
Well done sir. WWII history is so addictive for us history buffs. Wonderful pics and vids..
Thank you for watching! I greatly appreciate the kind words. Yes, WW2 is an obsession at this point haha. I just wish that there was more footage out there to use!
The book "War Fish" by Grider and Simms is also a good read. George Grider started WWWII on the USS Wahoo and rode her for several war patrols. In the book are details of these patrols where Mush Morton was the CO and Dick O'Kane was the XO of the Wahoo. Those patrols became legend as some of the greatest actions by submarines in WWII. George Grider ended the war as CO of the Flasher and Dick O'kane transferred off the Wahoo to become CO of the Tang. Sadly, the Wahoo was lost with all hands during her next patrol in the Sea of Japan
Read undersea warrior by Don Keith too. It talks about the Tang and O'kane alot
One of my favorite SBS books growing up.
Yes, Warfish by Grider is another must read.
Those guys were amazing warriors RIP.
Dick O'Kane was a true bad-ass! The best sub commander in the entire USN! He even had an ice cream machine installed on the Tang! I was humbled while visiting him in Arlington - a true hero - who - like the History Guy is known to say - deserves to be remembered - and I will add - honored. Rest well sir and thank you.
I really enjoy the eternal patrol at the end of your videos. Honoring those that serve is very important. Without these service men and women our country would fall.
Thanks for watching :)
My father Served as forward torpedo man on the Tang I would love any information on Seaman John Thomas Boice as to his service and injuries Where he received Purple Heart with clusters he was not on the tang when it sank but on sub tender died at 51 year’s of age in 1978 please any chance information please
Thank you to your father for his service! Pinning this so others may be able to give you some more info!
what a story, amazing❤💯🎯
While this book won't give you any direct information on your father it will give you a clue as to the fine men he served with and his captain. The book is named Clear the Bridge, written by Rear Admiral Richard O'Kane MOH. If you ever get to Tampa Florida there is a memorial for the submarine at Tampa's veteran memorial Park. This includes a plaque with the members of the crew still on patrol. I don't know if any of this interests you but I thought I would share with you. Richard O'Kane is one of my heroes in this world along with his boat the USS Tang and those who sailed on her.
I am very sorry about your father's early passing. May he rest in peace. My father was World War II veteran but he passed in March 2001.
My first boat the TMC would answer the J dial tubes forward...ouch, he came off darter
When I was in High School, I remember reading a book on WWII submarine warfare, 'Killer Kand', and Mush Morton are names I still remember....Death was pretty certain....but at least they did not have to sleep in the mud. -Veteran '66-68
thank you for your service roger you are a true hero
The Navy has always had three square meal and clean sheets. Now they have girls in the showers. What are they telling the Marines?
We lie to them. We tell them the showers are separate.
@@davidburroughs2244 Yeah, and the NAVY sure has some fun loving girls!
“Deadly Dudley” Stay with ‘em till they’re on the bottom! He is a true American hero!
Clear the Bridge is an excellent read. Very sad ending.
It is in my top 5 for sure
I had to reread the paragraph 3 times when he matter of factly describes the torpedo running back at them. I was 14, I'm 62. I've never forgotten that book, just as all of us
Have the book
Great book. What a fine commander and crew they were.
I have read it more than once - along with Wahoo. Both by O'Kane.
I strongly recommend the book clear the bridge by Richard O'Kane. He is an absolute hero. Based on his writing style I think I would have got along pretty well with him and social situations. He was an incredibly Brave commanding officer.
Most interesting book I’ve ever read
Another good book is, I think, "Shinano".
Japanese: *failed to sank Tang in many instances*
Tang with an electric torpedo: Fine, I'll do it myself.
In the 1950's there was a tv show called The Silent Service. You can see it on RUclips. Give it a try, see how you like it.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Good series
Clear The Bridge is one of the best books I have ever read. Wahoo is a great read also. and don't forget Thunder Below by Eugene Fluckey about the USS Barb.
War Beneath the Sea: Submarine Conflict During World War II by Peter Padfield is outstanding. 25 hours on Audible!
Try undersea warrior by don keith
Thanks for those recommendations!
I enjoyed _Take Her Deep_ by I.J. Galantin, about the Halibut.
Your voice has really matured HIDDEN HISTORY from the early tang dats to the present.Many thanks for all your hard work.😊😊😊
Glad you can see improvements! Hope to keep getting better!
@@HiddenHistoryYT Your voice is on Q with the subject matter.
Excellent presentation! Born and Raised in Vallejo California, home of Mare Island Navy Shipyard. Great photographs of the early years of this town. Subscribed.
My father served aboard the USS Flying Fish, ss229, a sister Gato Class sub and later on a sister class submarine, USS Argonaut (ii), ss475, another sister class to the Gato and Balao Class of submarines, Tench Class.
Thank you to your father for his service!
@@HiddenHistoryYT my father's submariner service was semi Post WWII. His service extwnded into the USAF as he was out of the USN 3 months when the Korean War was "official". There is more to that story which does included humor within the story.
@@jamesluke7377 oh that‘a cool! Feel free to share as much as you’d like!
Remarkable telling, of stunning bravery and competence in War. Remarkable boat, remarkable men.
The USS Tang was simply fortunate enough to be assigned to a busy shippping zone.
Freighter and transports.
That doesn’t automatically result in that amount of tonnage sunk. I think it is a bit silly to try to discredit her accomplishments.
I recommend Clear the Bridge written by Dick O’Kane
Shows what could have been accomplished earlier in the war if the torpedoes had actually worked.
What wonderful men. They will be alive inside me as long as I live. Torpedoes while super dangerous to the enemy can be just as bad for her crew. The Tang could have turned as hard as she could to starboard then the circling torpedo would have only one attempt to strike her and be diving to any possible depth to reduce size presented to as little as possible. I'm sure as soon as she saw her torpedo turn she would be flooding everything possible to escape. To those who are the most capable the most is asked. To those who have much much will be given.
So well said
If you ever get to the Tampa Florida area on US 301 there is the Veteran's Memorial Park there period in that Park they have a plaque honoring the USS tang and the crew that are still on patrol.
Torpedo made a tight circle, hitting 20 seconds after it was fired, no time to evade it
@@isilder they did try pushed the engines well into overload and initiated a fishtail maneuver but as you said not enough time.
Actually very shallow water where she was. Subs at the time were faster on the surface than submerged .
I read Dick O'Kane's book on the USS Tang, Clear the Bridge. That guy had big brass ones.
Indeed. Mush Morton taught him well
I just happened to be reading about Richard O'Kane's former skipper, Dudley Morton, when I came across this. Gave me a lot of insight into how O'Kane operated.
O'Kane wrote he suspected Morton was sunk by a US torpedo.
@@karljordan7114 I never knew that. Of course, given where he was sunk and the nature of the damage discovered, it was almost certainly from shore based batteries. Did O'Kane say he thought an American submarine might be in the area?
@@johnstevenson9956 He thought one of Morton's torpedoes turned, as later happened to O'Kane.
@@karljordan7114 Ahhhh, I see, thank you.
Nice video, you might want to check out the story of the USS Wahoo and how David "Mush" Morton helped change the course of submarine warfare from peacetime to war time.
Morton's first name was actually Dudley...
The Silent Service show has the Tang's last war patrol story here on RUclips. It ends with a brief interview with O'Kane.
What a war record, true heroes, steel boats iron men, rip tang crew, you gave all
How ironic that with all the combat the Tang saw against the Japanese, in the end it was a faulty American torpedo that got her. It seems that American torpedoes from before WW2 even started to the end of the war were garbage. Criminal. Another well done historical video, thanks!
I agree, it is almost criminal to have kept them. Thanks for watching!
Go USS TANG ! The only vessel equal in a fight ended up being itself.
Just ran across your channel and subscribed. Good stuff!
It's pronounced 'Bay-low ' . My father served on USS Lizardfish 373. He taught me how to say Balao (a is silent)
Dick O'Kane was a stud! He had a great teacher: "Mush" Morton.
Agreed, "Mush" wasn't like his name. There were a lot of great Sub captains in WW II.
While I agree Kane was an aggressive Captain, I think the decision to go in with that attack and the Mark 18 torpedo was a bad decision. The Type 18 was new and the Bureau of Ordinance had a habit of faulty designs. This was a copy of a German G-7e electric torpedo that worked great. The Bureau of Ordinance managed to mess up the development when copying a working design.
Your description it incorrect the Tang was struck in the stern but the official report states that the aft torpedo room and both engine rooms were opened up to the sea. The stern then settle on the bottom with the bow sticking out of the water. With Japanese ships closing in the remaining ballast tank were blown and she settled in 187 feet of water. She was depth charged which caused a fire in the batteries. Some of the crew were still alive at that point and most probably died from either the heat or smoke.
My uncle was J.A. Key SC3 on the vessel.
Thank you for the information, wish I had used your source instead. I hope that you still enjoyed the video.
Thank you to your uncle J.A. Key for his service. His sacrifice has not and will not be forgotten! An American hero.
Ships Cook 3rd class and from his photo on www.oneternalpatrol.com/key-j-a.htm quite handsome. Is his name on a memorial wall at the American Cemetery, Manilla, Philippines?
@@brendastar967 I do not know. I do know his name and photo are on the wall at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
@@HiddenHistoryYT Thank you for telling the story.
The service record of the tang would make a great movie.
My Uncle was an electrician on the USS Yahoo, for it's first three war tours, and Is listed in the book The wake of the Yahoo, as Edward Jesser, from south gate California. The ship was sunk on its fifth war tour....tough men those submariners...
Incredible. Thank you to him for his service!
@@HiddenHistoryYT Thanks, but he has been dead for over 30 Years
Excellent! More submarine videos - please!
hmmm, Captain Fluckey of the USS Barb might have something say about that claim.
8.56 cool view of mt fuji
8:56 fixed that timestamp for you
is there a movie about this vessel cus damn that's action packed, sad ending tho
Unfortunately not that I am aware of
From my reading on the Tang, O'Kane did not sound the Collision Alarm. I wounder if that would have helped?? Fun fact of me is that she was launched on my Birthday, only 10 earlier.
great video!
Thanks for watching!
The Greatest Generation !!
May God Bless and Keep Them Always 🙏
Appreciate you watching and have a great week :)
Thank you for such great videos. I have a question, what is the use of the round opening at the bow of the Sub? At the very front.
If I am correct that is to allow for towing if the sub is disabled. Subs have no other point in which to tie a tow cable.
Subbed and liked great video thanks
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Immense thanks to all who responded to my plea for book recommendations. Just about to finish the O’Kane book. Excellent.
As always a great book raises more questions. I am intrigued as to how the Navy acquired such accurate charts. Is there a book covering this?
I know in one instance the crew of the USS Wahoo found out their charts weren’t that accurate, and it turned out that a book one man had bought for his family as a souvenir actually had an accurate chart so they projected it against the wall and traced the outlines of the reefs onto their own charts.
This is documented in the book “Undersea Warrior”
What an amazing record. O'Keefe was a super CO.
Them boys wreaked holy hell on the enemy.
You said "On June 30th, Tang sighted a cargo ship, steaming without escort. She would dive deep to avoid depth charges after two torpedo misses..." Where did these depth charges come from, if this merchant were steaming unescorted?
Great video. I've read Admiral O'Kanes book on the Tang a number of times over the years. It's sitting right next to me.
Love the fact you use those 'Critical Past' videos. I avoid that guy because of that ridiculous watermark, or whatever it's called, over the videos. Those videos are
public domain National Archive footage and that guy has no right to claim them. Same with that 'Periscope Film' guy.
Very cool, thank you for watching! I agree, it is very annoying that put their watermark over free footage and want to charge ridiculous fees to use them.
Ok so question for the group, O’Kane mentions putting a “Crows Nest” on the Tang. Does anyone have any pictures or a good description of what this addition looked like?
Hmmm I cannot find any pictures of it
Brave men to know at anytime you may never breathe fresh air again.
When u just sit and look at one there is no doubt what its purpose was.I am fortunate to have 3 ships envelopes from the USS SWORDFISH.
No PURPLE HEARTS in sub service. 52 U.S. subs lost in WW2; I know cause I visit a memorial to each of them in San Diego often...
Would like to see a story on how the IJN got so good at anti-submarine warfare when the USN had the best and most advanced submarines and crews in the world.
Good idea!
Lessons from the Atlantic
Brilliant
After Captain Morton and the wahoo were sunk, Richard O'kane became the best sub skipper of all time using the tactics and lessons taught him by Morton. I'm sure Mush would've been proud knowing his XO O'kane took good of his spot as the BEST after he passed away. But what if Mush Morton hadn't have died?🤔🤔🤔
That is a very interesting alternate reality!
Penetrating the Sea of Japan with a hold full of faulty torpedoes... That's A NavalHero.
I am a former "boomer" sailor during the 70's, unfortunately that last defective fish was fired while on the surface. It would have been a different story if fired from periscope depth of 64 feet
Mush was having some health issues might have forced him to shore duty
@@garys2327 you're probably right because of his prostate issues. But could you imagine if they put him in command of a Balao after seeing the damage he could do with a Gato??
I cant imagine the mental toll that living on a submarine would take on my weak millennial mind. These men are cut from a different cloth. I admire their bravery.
Getting out of bed at mothers is mind-boggling for millennials. From the greatest generation to the worst in under 100 years.
@@drats1279 You just have to wonder who raised these morons..
@@drats1279 okkkay boomer
Dont sell yourself short. There are many millennials serving on submarines right now. There are millennials serving in combat right now.
Some will say they they all have PTSD but do you really think these guys didnt? It just wasn't talked about.
They didnt enjoy it anymore then you would. The big difference is the rules of engagement. Back then it was "kill and we'll sort it out later" today its "play fair"
They fought a brutal war so, hopefully, you dont have to. That doesnt mean you couldnt.
@@navyreviewer Well put. I once asked my father, a Vietnqm Vet and Army Aviator why he never taught me to shoot. "I got too good at it so you wouldnt have to."
No mention of Richard O' Kane's cribbage board?
Funny you should mention that. I just didn’t mention it because of it occurring on the USS Wahoo. After I uploaded I regretted not mentioning it of course! Cool to see that someone knows about it though!
16:12 correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Germans use a copy of the Momsen Lung later in WWII? I'm pretty sure such an apparatus was used by some of the crew of Type IX U-boat U-534 to successfully escape after it sank to the bottom at a depth of 220 feet or so? I recall reading that someplace. Perhaps I'm in the wrong. I know that 5 men escaped after it sank (only 5 left as the rest all were able to abandon ship) and it's hard for me to imagine swimming that distance and surviving without such an apparatus.
I believe you are correct, I will do a little more digging. But just off my base knowledge you are right about this other event
@@HiddenHistoryYT Wow! Many thanks for the reply. The sinking of U-534 is some interesting history all on its own, albeit not as well known or glamorous since it mainly functioned as a training sub.
@@iananderson5050 Very cool I will have to read up on that some. It sounds like you know quite a lot about subs/are interested. You should join this Facebook group I run: facebook.com/groups/1124531634740547/
@@HiddenHistoryYT my request to join is already in haha. Subs are a passion but I study quite a lot, conflicts from the American Civil War through Korea, military aircraft development, ocean liners, steam engines/locomotives, tanks, military strategy, the list goes on and on...a little bit of everything I suppose. I always thought it would be cool to volunteer for sub service in the USN but sadly the GF put a stop to that. She said she couldn't go that long without hearing from me 🙂
Guess that just leaves destroyers if I ever wanted in on the fun stuff
@@iananderson5050 haha awesome!
My Uncle Robert Coffin was on the Tang when it sunk itself with a defective torpedo.
Thank you to him for his service and sacrifice. He is a true American hero who we are all indebted to. I actually just redid this video (ruclips.net/video/SumNWjg3Y4k/видео.htmlsi=AD47TCV1Z5pA-ACW). Your Uncle's picture is at 18:04
My cousin, Lawrence Hall Erickson, was an engine man on the Tang went down and he did not survive. He was only 19 y/o. He was awarded the Silver Star but I do not know why. I wrote two letters to the Sec. Navy requesting info, but NO reply. Can anyone help me?
Thank you to your cousin for his service and sacrifice, he is an American hero. Pinning your comment to see if anyone here can help you out.
Mr. Nadeau, we are grateful of your cousin's & families sacrifice to our country, a debt we
can never repay. Just a civilian, though one who cares about history, and ever respectful
of the men & women who made it. I may not
be able to offer any new insights or intuitions you don't already have. Your cousin
was a sailor aboard USS Tang (SS306) 🇺🇸 which holds the distinction of holding the
highest tonnage sunk of WW2 @ 116,454 tons. USS Tang's final patrol sank 7 ships
totaling 21,772 tons. The USS Tang was awarded its second Presidential Unit Citations. As you may know it was the last
of her 24 electric Mark 18 torpedoes targeting the tanker that broke surface making a hard left to circle back to strike
the submarine. The Silver 🌟 for youth reading this is awarded for Gallantry In Action where America is not the aggressor.
Your cousin kept the USS Tang operational
and moving through her final minutes. 78
Sailors lost in this action 24 October 1944,
Taiwan Strait off China, 9 picked up to be
prisoners of war, others unable to stay afloat
to be pulled from the sea. No question in my
mind & heart, your cousin and his fellow sailors earned the Silver Star award. The aft
portion of the ship was struck. If I had to speculate your cousin may have been behind
a closed bulkhead at point of impact with
no chance for escape. This was the only time a Momsen lung was used to escape a
sunken submarine. People chasing our proud history may wish to learn more at
Wikipedia, they appreciate donations to
do their detailed work. More to learn at
mohmuseum.org under USS Tang.
Probably was on a still-classified mission.
read the book 'Clear the Bridge" by McCain for more detailed info on Tang. excellent. thank you
Thank you for the recommendation!
going to look for it at my local library tomorrow thank you!
Tang CO & book author, Richard O'Kane, not McCain
Another decent one. 👍
Greatly appreciate it! I need to redo this topic to be honest, was one of the very first videos I ever made and uh have come a long way since then haha. Appreciate you watching and have a fantastic week :)
@@HiddenHistoryYT if this was aan early effort I'm impressed at how you've progressed and if I were you I'd keep it as a reminder that you too started at the beginning like we all must. #OurHistory
I met Capt. O'Kane in Groton CT when he was selling his book "Clear the Bridge!"
He signed it for me.
I was green but recognized the stature of this man and did not understand why there was not a line to meet him and buy his book with his signature.
I was graced by God to meet a man of such stature who prosecuted war against the enemy (There is no glory in war, Tecumseh Sherman).
I served 10 years on boats, 4 years under the surface. It was so long ago I ask did it really happen?
The volume is at maximum but I can barely hear this compared to the ads or other programs
US submariners to Germany:. We are what you wanted to be.
We made what you would've made and likely exceeded
Nah I think its more of a
US Anti submarine convoys to Japan: We are what you wanted to be.
I think the U boats would have been way more succesful if they had fought against the japanese.
@@lucakrokrowinkel9576 first of all its all about the crews and their conditions during combat, secondly the equipment
First the US Subs from Gatos up to Tench class had the best crew accommodations for a sub at the time air cons, washing machines and relatively comfy berthing area. Not to mention their superb range/endurance and also electronics and sensors
Secondly if you take away the faulty Mk14 torpedoes the US had the best Torpedo computer fire control at the time of all navies, if you take the German funtioning G7a torpedoes or Japanese Lonh Lances and combine them with the US TDCs they will destroy more ships.
If the Germans were equipped with the US Gatos or Balaos and US TDC plus their own torpedoes they probably cause more havoc on the allied shipping in the Atlantic
German torpedoes to American ones: we are what you wanted to be.
@@usqwamecheif But actually not. Japanese long lance torpedoes were far superior not only to American ones but German ones as well.
Could you possibly
do a similar piece on the USS Wahoo? One of the sailors entombed in her has a memorial stone, placed by his family, in the Lawnville, TN cemetery, just north of I-40 at exit 355.
Ya I can for sure get something made for that!
@@HiddenHistoryYT I have photos and the exact location of the stone that I can provide. Sailor's name is Kindred Bernelle Johnson T.M.
@@accousticdecay dm me on Instagram if you could!
no instagram or any of that stuff sorry. I can email the photos.
Can I purchase videos of the Tang and crews
I will have to look again what actual footage there is of the Tang. I remember it was somewhat difficult to even find pictures
To bad she didnt kill any destroyers or battle ships. What a crazy ending
US Submarine commanders during World War ll were told your mission is to sink enemy commerce IE Transport ships transporting goods ammo, oil , etc. from one location to another location . Without supplies a fighting force cannot survive ! Sinking one enemy Oil Tanker would mean that much less fuel for enemy destroyers or Battle ships ! A Ship without fuel is going no where !
The Sub the astronauts loved?
I'm curious how come it was never found. Location is pretty well known and it's not very deep.
That’s a good question. This is the extent of what I could find: www.quora.com/Has-the-wreck-of-the-WW2-submarine-USS-Tang-been-found
I this she was found in the Formosa Straight
Bad Ass! US had so many tech issues with their torpedoes at one point in time.
Brave men
Agreed, thanks for watching Jack!
My grandma 1st husband died on the tang.
Is an "end around" attack similar to a 'reach around?' ;)
Not that I know of. An "end around" is the case where the submarine may have been held down by escorts so the convoy can get away, or was just out of position when she found the target. She will surface, get out of visual range (and usually at night) using radar to maintain contact with the ship/convoy while trying to get ahead of the target. While the convoy is going at 12-15 knots, the submarine can do 18-20 knots (will depend on how much battery charging she needs to do) on the surface. After about 4-8 hours or so the submarine will (hopefully) have gained a position some miles ahead of the projected track of the ship/convoy at which point the submarine will submerge along the track of the target, wait for it to get in range and then conduct a submerged daylight periscope attack. Of course, if the skipper guesses wrong about the general direction of the target (I.E. thinks it is heading for Leyte or Luzon Island when it takes a course change and is now heading for Singapore), the submarine may be too far out of position. But sometimes the skipper just has to take a SWAG and hope for the best. Many skippers will say they were mentally flipping a coin at times like this! But, the end around was a very effective technique. Not sure what the "reach around" technique you mentioned is - don't recall ever hearing it in conjunction with submarine operations. A "reach around" (I think the technical term is an envelopment) may be a technique used by a surface fleet where you show the main fleet in front and then send a 2nd arm (or air attack) to get in behind the opposing fleet - but that is just a SWAG on my part! For land forces, if I recall correctly, a "reach around" as I think you mean would be called an envelopment.
i read a book about this crew. the Japanese gave them a very hard time.
What book?
O'Kane wrote that when he realized the Japanese sailors beating him were the same men he had tried to kill an hour before, the beating was easier to take.
US Subs were responsible for at least 100,000 Japanese Fatalities in WW2. 52 for freedom.
Thanks for watching Robert!
My Great Uncle served as the Chief Torpedoman’s Mate and he gave up his mumson lung to his Commanding Officer Richard O'Kane, which can be verified in O'Kanes own words in his Book Clear the Bridge.
Thank you for his service 🙏
USS Tang sank the hell ship my uncle was on (Tamahoko Maru) in June 1944 killing British and Dutch POWs
Do you include the Tang in it’s list of victories? It was sunk by it’s own torpedo, so does that count?
Yes, but did she ever sink a train
Didn't come into the war until the torpedo "issues" were solved.
Darn that torpedo, nothing could touch her only her own torpedo.
Perhaps they should add the Tang to the total of her ships sunk. She was sunk by the Tang....
Thanks for watching and have a great rest of your week :)
In the end, the only boat worthy of taking Tang down was herself. That is both tragic and supremely badass
Could you make a video on my dads boat the Archerfish
I will look into it! Always am looking for new topics like that!
My first boat was Archerfish SSN 678 were related
Does anyone know what the ship is in the Dry Dock? It looks like a sub tender.
Not a chance.. that is a Cactus-Class seagoing buoy tenders. You might need to get new glasses billy boy
@@onemindmarketing1862 are you serios or joking, you mihght be the dumbist person in these comnemts, its clearly a samual gompers-class destroyers tender.
@@onemindmarketing1862 I served on a tender that was the second one with her name. The first one was in WW II and was sunk. I was asking a question base on an observation that the early sub tenders had canoe sterns. EN1
Well OMM you might consider glasses. The Cactus Class, from the photos I dug up have there engine rooms amid ships based on the smoke stack. The ship in the floating dry dock has her stack aft, as did many of the tenders. It would be nice to know her name and hull number.
@@Canopus68 Bill.. I'm embarrassed. Truly i am. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the disrespect i just demonstrated. After contacting my life long friend who worked at that very dry dock as a structural engineer for 37 years he confirmed that it is indeed a sub tender. It appears i have fell for some fake news, again, my apologies.
Does anyone know a video that plays the engine sounds of a diesel sub ?
Hmmm good question, sub noises are typically hard to find for videos.
I love these videos. I’m a sub for life. But please get a pro narrator 😊
Check out my newer videos, this was one of the very first ones I ever made :) Thanks for watching!