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| USN Tambor-class submarine 1,475 Tons (surfaced) 307' 2" x 27' 3" x 14' 7" 10 × 21"torpedo tubes (six forward, four aft) 24 torpedoes 1 × 3" gun 1 x 40mm AA 1 x 20mm AA  USN November 12, 1941 |
Sub History Built by Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine. Laid down December 15, 1939 as Tambor-class submarine. Launched September 4, 1940 as USS Grayling (SS-209). Commissioned March 1, 1941 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lieutenant Commander Eliot Olson in command. After conducting tests and sea trials, called upon June 20, 1941 to assist in the search for submarine O-9 (SS-70), which had failed to surface after a practice dive off Isles of Shoals. O-9 was subsequently discovered on the bottom, but rescue efforts failed. On June 22, 1941 Grayling participated in a memorial services for her lost crew. Joining the Atlantic Fleet, departed August 4, 1941 on a shakedown cruise to Morehead City, North Carolina then St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. On August 29, 1941 returned to Portsmouth. After final acceptance, departed November 17, 1941 to Newport, Rhode Island where armed then departed to join the Pacific Fleet. On December 3, 1941 transits the Panama Canal then arrives a week later in San Diego. Wartime History On December 17, 1941 departs San Diego arriving at Pearl Harbor a week later. On December 31, 1941 Grayling was chosen for the Pacific Fleet change of command ceremony when Admiral Chester W. Nimitz hoisted his flag aboard the submarine. First War Patrol On January 5, 1942 departs on her first war patrol patrolling the northern Gilbert Islands. Although Grayling failed to register any kills, the crew gained experience and training before ending the patrol at Pearl Harbor on March 7, 1943. Second War Patrol On March 27, 1942 departs on her second war patrol off Japan. On April 13, 1942 Grayling sank Ryujin Maru her first ship sunk. On May 16, 1942 ends the war patrol at Pearl Harbor. Third War Patrol Grayling returned to action in June as all available ships were pressed into service to oppose the Japanese advance on Midway Island. As part of Task Group 7.1, Grayling and her sister submarines were arranged in a fan-like reconnaissance deployment west of Midway, helping to provide knowledge of Japanese movements. During this deployment the Grayling was mistaken for a Japanese cruiser by Army Air Force B-17s which attacked her. A quick crash dive avoided damage. Fourth War Patrol As Naval planners established a submarine blockade of Truk in connection with the offensive in the Solomon Islands, Grayling began her third war patrol on July 14, 1942 around the Japanese stronghold. She damaged a Japanese submarine tender 13 August, but was forced to return to Pearl Harbor 26 August by fuel leaks. At Pearl Harbor, Grayling repaired and was fitted with surface radar, after which she began her fourth patrol on 19 October. Although attacked by gunfire and six separate depth charge runs by Japanese destroyers, Grayling succeeded 10 November in sinking a 4000-ton cargo ship southwest of Truk. She also destroyed an enemy schooner on 4 December before putting into Fremantle December 13. Fifth War Patrol Changing her base of operations to Australia, Grayling stood out of Fremantle on 7 January 1943 on her fifth patrol, this time in Philippine waters. She sank cargo ship Ushio Maru west of Luzon on 26 January and damaged another Japanese ship the next day. After sinking a schooner on 24 February, Grayling returned to Fremantle. Sixth War Patrol Grayling departed on March 18 on her sixth war patrol and cruised off Tarakan and the Verde Island Passage. There, she attacked and sank cargo ship Shanghai Maru on 9 April and damaged four other ships before returning to Fremantle on 25 April. Seventh War Patrol Her seventh war patrol, commencing 18 May, took Grayling into the waters off northwest Borneo, where she damaged a freighter and two smaller ships before returning to her base 6 July. Eighth War Patrol Grayling began her eighth and last war patrol in July from Fremantle. She made two visits to the coast of the Philippines, delivering supplies and equipment to guerrillas at Pucio Point in Pandan Bay on Panay Island on July 31, 1943 and August 23, 1943. On August 24, 1943 Grayling rescued U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) MSgt Roy Walter Wilfon from the west coast of Panay Island. For over a year after U.S. forces in the Philippines surrendered, he managed to evade capture and to sail from island to island using an outrigger canoe. Tragically, he was aboard the submarine when lost. On August 27, 1943 while cruising in the Philippines area, Grayling recorded her last kill, the passenger-cargo Meizan Maru in Tablas Strait. The next day, the Japanese spotted a surfaced submarine in the Tablas Strait area. On September 9, 1943 the Grayling made her last contact. That same day, the Japanese observed a surfaced submarine in Lingayen Gulf. Sinking History On September 12, 1943 Grayling failed to transmit a scheduled to make a radio report. Afterards, all attempts to contact the submarine failed. On September 30, 1943 Grayling was officially reported "lost with all hands". No recorded Japanese attacks claimed an American submarine in the area. Her loss may have been operational or by an unrecorded attack or accident. Japanese passenger-cargo vessel Hokuan Maru reported a submarine in shallow water west of Luzon. The ship made a run over the area and "noted an impact with a submerged object." No additional data is available. The only certainty is Grayling was lost sometime between September 9, 1943 to September 12, 1943 on an approach to Manila west of Luzon or in Tablas Strait. Memorials Her entire crew of 76 plus rescued MSgt Roy W. Wilfon were lost when Grayling went missing. Each earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. The U.S. Navy crew were officially declared dead on January 3, 1946. Wilfon was officially declared dead August 31 1943. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Awards Grayling was credited with five major kills, totaling 20,575 tons. All but the first of Grayling's eight war patrols were declared "successful". She earned six battle stars for World War II service. References NavSource - USS Grayling (SS-209) On Eternal Patrol - US Grayling (SS-209) On Eternal Patrol - US Grayling (SS-209) Roy Walter Wilfon (photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Daniel E. Arnold American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Roy W. Wilfon Contribute
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