JANUARY
21 January 1942 SS 141 – ran aground at Taka and scuttled 1 later died as a POW
24 January 1942 SS 131 – 46 killed 3 survivors after transiting the Panama Canal and while surfaced was struck by a surface escort (PS 460) on the starboard side of the torpedo room and the boat sank in seconds. The CO, XO and one enlisted man were on the bridge and survived.
10 January 1943 SS 166 Argonaut 102 killed All hands lost depth charge and artillery
12 January 1945 SS 193 Swordfish 89 killed All hands lost – thoughts are that the Swordfish struck a mine off Okinawa.
Pictured USS Swordfish SS 193
The decisive role played by the Silent Service during WW II is often overlooked, or the significance of their contribution is not fully understood. The Submarine Service represented only 1.6% of all Navy personnel during the war but they accounted for over 55% of all Japanese ships sunk, including one-third of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Submariners paid a high price for this accomplishment, however, with the highest percentage causality rate of any branch of the service, almost 23%. Fifty-two U.S. submarines were lost during WW II with over 3,500 men. Many additional men were lost either from gunfire or tragic mishap. It should always be remembered that these men were all volunteers. (source: National Park Service)
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