|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN Gato-class submarine 1,526 Tons (surfaced) 2,424 Tons (submerged) 307' x 27.3' x 19.3' 10 × 21" torpedo tubes (6 fwd, 4 aft) with 24 torpedoes 1 x 3" deck gun 2 x .50cal MG 2 x 30cal MG  USN February 3, 1944 |
Sub History Built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut. Laid down October 5, 1940 as the lead ship of the Gato Class submarine class and serves as a prototype for the major portion of the submarines built by the company during World War II. Launched August 21, 1941 as USS Gato (SS-212) sponsored by Mrs. Royal E. Ingersoll, wife of Rear Admiral Royal Ingersoll, Assistant Chief of Naval Operations. Commissioned December 31, 1941 in the U.S. Navy (USN) and conducts a short shake down cruise off Connecticut. On February 16, 1942 departs transiting the Panama Canal then San Francisco before reaching Pearl Harbor and joins the Pacific Fleet. Wartime Service During April 1942 until June 1943 Gato saw continuous service in the Pacific conducting five war patrols in the Kurile Islands and Aleutian Islands. Duty as part of the screening force during the Battle of Midway, and patrols around Truk. Operating in the Solomon Islands, supported coastwatchers making several landings to deliver supplies and personnel to observation posts in Japanese held areas. On January 21, 1942 Gato torpedoes Kenkon Maru east of Bougainville at 6°12’S 155°51’E. On March 29, 1943 of Gato evacuates Australian commandos plus 27 children, 9 mothers, and 3 nuns from a mission evacuates certain military and civilian people (including 9 women, 3 nuns, and 27 children) from Teop Island off northern Bougainville. On February 15, 1943 sinks Suruga Maru in Bougainville Strait. During this same period Gato undertook reconnaissance of Tarawa and Makin. Gato sank five enemy ships totaling 41,000 tons. Afterwards, to Mare Island for a two month overhaul and to repair battle damage. Sixth War Patrol On September 6, 1943 departs Pearl Harbor on her sixth war patrol to the South Pacific. On September 23, 1943 lands a patrol by U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy personnel to scout the northeast coast of Bougainville Bougainville in the vicinity of Kieta until removed September 27, 1943. They return to report the area was generally unfavorable as a landing area. Afterwards, patrols near Truk and claims two freighters damaged, one 8,500 tons and another 7,000 tons. On October 20, 1943 sinks Tsunushima Maru between Truk and Kavieng at roughly Lat 1°26'N, Long 148°36'E. On October 28, 1943 arrives Brisbane ending her 53 day patrol and undergoes a refit. Awarded the submarine combat insignia for this patrol. Seventh War Patrol On November 18, 1943 departs Brisbane on her seventh war patrol and proceeds to Tulagi to refuel then proceeds to her patrol area in the Bismarkck Sea. Using torpedoes, claims a 9,000 ton freighter, 6,500 ton frieghter and damages a 4,500 ton freighter and drives off a Japanese plane with anti-aircraft fire. Gato spotted a life raft off the Admiralties and rescued a Japanese aviator who was detained as a Prisoner Of War (POW). On December 20, 1943 sinks Tsuneshima Maru then was subjected to a severe depth charge attack by her escorts including torpedo boat Otori. Following the attack, Gato surfaced and found an unexploded depth charge lodged in the rudder. With the help of the Japanese POW, the ship's Gunnery Officer dislodged the depth charge and lashed it to a life raft that was set adrift with a slow leak. Afterwards, performed a special secret mission. On January 10, 1944 arrives Milne Bay ending the war patrol aund underwent a refit by submarine tender USS Fulton (AS-11). Awarded the submarine combat insignia for this patrol. Eight War Patrol On February 2, 1944 at 7:00am departs Milne Bay at the start of her eighth war patrol escorted by USS PC 1121 and makes a trim dive and drills clearing the bridge. On February 3, 1944 at Dreger Harbor rendezvous with PT 196 and PT-323 and releases USS PC 1121 and after noon departs on the surface for Vitiaz Strait escorted by the PT Boats and releases them at 7:00pm. Afterwards, the submarine proceeds alone on a classified mission to rescue Allied Prisoners Of War (POW) from behind enemy lines. On February 5, 1944 Gato surfaces in Open Bay near Maitanakunai to rescue two group of Allied aviators from behind enemy lines. The first group included: Gordon Manuel, Owen Giertsen, Carl Planck and Edward Czarnecki. The second group included Townsend, David McClymont and Fred Hargesheimer. Afterwards, returned to Finschafen to disembark those rescued then continues her patrol of the Bismarck Sea and Truk. On February 15, 1944 Gato sunk a trawler off Truk. On February 26, 1944 sank transport Daigen Maru no. 3. On March 12, 1944 sank the Okinoyama Maru No. 3 sunk during a daylight attack using only her 3" deck gun. Afterwards, two other trawlers were sunk by only fire from her deck gun before returning to Pearl Harbor on April 1, 1944. Gato's vigilance patrolling the north entrance to the Bougainville Sound and her aggressive attacks during her fourth through eighth war patrols was credited with the destruction of 13 enemy ships totaling 69,400 tons. During May 1944 transferred to the Central Pacific. Her ninth and tenth patrols were primarily reconnaissance and lifeguard missions in the vicinity first of Truk and the Bonin Islands. After completing her tenth patrol, Gato was overhauled at Mare Island. During January 1945, departed Pearl Harbor on her eleventh war patrol in the Yellow Sea sinking two ships including one destroyer escort. Her twelfth and thirteenth patrols were conducted off the coast of Japan as a lifeguard in support of air operations over those islands. During this duty ten U.S. Army aviators were rescued from the waters of the Pacific. At the end of her thirteenth war patrol, anchors in Tokyo Bay and is present during the official surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945 aboard USS Missouri BB-63. During World War II, Gato earned thirteen Battle Stars and five Presidential Unit Citations. Her aggressive attacks during her fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth war patrols in the Solomons, Bismarck Sea, New Guinea and Truk earned a Presidential Unit Citation. Gato was nicknamed "The Goalkeeper" by Admiral William F. Halsey for her combat record. She supported the Battle of Midway, capture and defense of Guadalcanal, Marianas Operation, the Western Caroline Islands Operation, Iwo Jima Operation, Okinawa-Gunto Assault and Occupation, and the Third Fleet Operations Against Japan. Postwar Following the war, Gato served as a Naval Reserve Training Ship in New York and Baltimore. On March 1, 1960 stricken from the Navy list. On July 25, 1960 sold to Northern Metals Company of Philadelphia and afterwards broken up for scrap. References NARA USS Gato SS-212 War History "Factual History of U.S.S. Gato (S212) from commissioning to 15 September 1945" pages 1-9 NARA U.S. S. Gato - Report of Eighth War Patrol (Page 2) "February 5, 1944: Special mission completed. Proceeding towards Vitiaz Strait, enroute Dreger Harbor, T.N.G. Submerged during daylight." NavSource - USS Gato SS-212 The School That Fell From the Sky (2002) by Fred Hargesheimer pages 113-116 (USS Gato Report of Special Mission, February 3-6, 1944) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
