USS Wahoo (SS-238)

::See "Wahoo" for other ships of the same name.

USS "Wahoo" (SS-238) was a "Gato"-class submarine, the first United States Navy ship to be named for the wahoo, a dark blue food fish of Florida and the West Indies. (The other was SS-565.) "Wahoo" earned six battle stars for World War II service.

Her keel was laid 28 June 1941 at the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California. She was launched on 14 February 1942 sponsored by Mrs. William C. Barker, Jr., and commissioned on 15 May 1942 with Lieutenant Commander Marvin G. "Pinky" Kennedy in command.

Following fitting out and initial training along the California coast which took her as far south as San Diego, California, "Wahoo" departed Mare Island on 12 August for Hawaii. She arrived at Pearl Harbor on 18 August and underwent exercise training until 21 August.

First patrol, August – October 1942

On 23 August 1942 "Wahoo" got underway for her first war patrol, seeking Japanese shipping in waters west of Truk, particularly in the area between the Hall Islands and the Namonuito Atoll. On 6 September, her third day in the area, "Wahoo" fired three torpedoes at her first target, a lone freighter; all missed, because the ship turned and headed for "Wahoo", which dodged, fearful of counterattack from the air.

She continued to patrol the Truk area until 20 September when she decided to leave the southwest part of the patrol area and explore south of the Namonuito Atoll. Under a bright moon and clear sky, the submarine sighted a freighter and her escort. "Wahoo" fired three torpedoes; all missed. A fourth hit the target, which was thought to take a port list and settled by the stern. Four minutes later, a series of three underwater explosions wracked the freighter. "Wahoo" was chased by the escort but escaped by radically changing course in a rain squall. Though credited at the time with a freighter of 6400 tons, postwar analysis of Japanese shipping records by JANAC showed no sinking at this time or place.

"Wahoo" continued her patrol and sighted several airplanes, a patrol boat, and a tender but was unable to close on any possible targets. On 1 October 1942, the submarine extended her patrol to Ulul Island where she sighted several fishing boats. Within the next few days, "Wahoo" missed two of the best targets of the war. The first was "Chiyoda" (listed as a seaplane tender, she was in fact a mother ship to midget submarines [Peattie & Evans, Kaigun] ), sailing without escort. "Wahoo" proved unable to reach a firing position. On 5 October, she sighted an aircraft carrier, believed to be "Ryūjō", escorted by two destroyers. (In fact, "Ryūjō" had been sunk six weeks earlier in the Solomon Islands). Due to an approach lacking aggressiveness and skill, the target sailed away untouched. Two days later, "Wahoo" departed the patrol area. On 16 October, she made rendezvous with her escort and proceeded to Pearl Harbor.

"Wahoo" arrived at Hawaii on 17 October 1942 from her first war patrol and commenced refit the following day alongside submarine tender USS|Sperry|AS-12|3. She then shifted to Submarine Base Pearl Harbor for overhaul. There, a four-inch (102 mm) gun and two 20 mm guns were installed. Overhaul was completed on 2 November and, after three days' training, "Wahoo" was ready for sea.

Second patrol, November – December 1942

On 8 November 1942, "Wahoo" got underway for her second war patrol, with Lt.Cdr.Dudley Walker "Mush" Morton also aboard for his prospective commanding officer (PCO) patrol. She arrived at her assigned area in the Solomon Islands and continued her patrol, keeping in sight of Bougainville and Buka Islands. On 30 November, the submarine spotted smoke at a distance of 8000 yards (7.3 km). It was a lightly loaded freighter or transport with a destroyer escort on the port bow. "Wahoo"'s approach was unsuccessful, and she proceeded east of Cape Hanpan.

Having patrolled the Buka-Kilinailau Channel for 17 days, on 7 December, the submarine decided to patrol the direct route between Truk and the Shortland Islands for a few days. This proved fruitless, and "Wahoo" returned to her former hunting grounds the Buka-Kilinailau Channel. On 10 December, while making her return trip, "Wahoo" ran across a convoy of three heavily loaded cargo ships escorted by a destroyer. She chose the largest tanker as the first target and fired a spread of four torpedoes at a range of 700 yards (640 m). Although three hit, it took two hours for "Kamoi Maru" (5300 tons [Blair, "Silent Victory", page 333] ) to sink. The destroyer got too close and "Wahoo" started down before another attack could be launched. The destroyer dropped approximately 40 depth charges, none close. Rather than use the new SJ radar to mount a second attack, which might well sink the freighter, and possibly even the destroyer, "Wahoo" let them go on a northeastrly course and moved into a new area.

Four days later, a hospital ship was sighted headed for the Shortland Islands. On 15 December, "Wahoo" left the area and looked into Kieta Harbor, Buka Island, and passed Moreton Light on 26 December for entrance into Brisbane, Australia, where she commenced refit the following day. On 31 December, Lt. Comdr. Kennedy, was relieved as commanding officer for being unproductive and returned to surface warfare, later commanding a destroyer during the Normandy Invasion with distinction. Morton, an uncommonly talented and aggressive submarine officer, replaced him.

Third patrol, January – February 1943

"Wahoo" was ready for sea on 16 January 1943. She performed sonar tests in Moreton Bay before beginning her third war patrol. Three days later, the submarine passed into Vitiaz Strait "en route" to her patrol area. "Wahoo"'s orders were to reconnoiter Wewak, a Japanese supply base on the north coast of New Guinea between Kairiru Island and coincidently, Mushu Island. There was one large problem with that: "Wahoo" had no charts of the harbor. However, it turned out that one of the motor machinists had bought a cheap school atlas while in Australia. It had a map of New Guinea with a small indentation labeled "Wewak". With that as a reference, a blowup of the Navy chart was made.

On 24 January 1943, "Wahoo" dove two miles north of Kairiru Island and proceeded around the western end to penetrate Victoria Bay. She sighted a destroyer with RO-class submarines nested around it. The destroyer was getting underway, so "Wahoo" fired a spread of three torpedoes at the moving target; all missed aft. Another was fired which the destroyer avoided by turning away, then circled and headed for "Wahoo". The submarine watched him, keeping bows on, waiting until the destroyer had closed to a frightening distance of 800 yards before firing the fifth and last torpedo in the forward tubes. It struck amidships, breaking his back. "Wahoo" had no difficulty escaping the area. Despite her heavy damage "Harusame" was beached and repaired.

The next day, "Wahoo" changed base course for Palau. On 26 January, the submarine sighted the smoke of two ships, the "Fukuei Maru" and another un-named freighter: she obtained a position, fired two torpedoes at the leading ship and, 17 seconds later, two at the second. The first two torpedoes hit the "Fukuei Maru". The third passed ahead of the second freighter, the fourth hit. Upon observing the damage, "Wahoo" discovered there were two more ships; a huge transport, the "Buyo Maru", and a tanker. The "Fukuei Maru" was listing badly to starboard and sinking by the stern; the second ship was headed directly for "Wahoo", at a slow speed. Ignoring this, "Wahoo" fired a three-torpedo spread at the transport; the second and third hit and stopped her.

Turning her attention to the second target, which was still headed for her, "Wahoo" fired two bow tubes "down the throat" to stop him. The second torpedo hit, but he kept coming and forced the submarine to turn hard left at full speed to avoid being rammed. There followed so many explosions that it was hard to tell what was happening. Returning to periscope depth, "Wahoo" observed the "Fukuei Maru" had sunk; the second target was still moving, evidently with steering trouble; and the transport, "Buyo Maru", was stopped but still afloat.

"Wahoo" headed for the transport and fired a bow tube; the torpedo passed directly under the middle of the ship but failed to explode. She then fired another torpedo which headed right for the stack and blew her apart midships. The submarine then headed for the crippled freighter, which had joined with a tanker and were moving away. "Wahoo" decided to let these two ships get over the horizon, while she surfaced to charge her batteries and attack the shipwrecked Japanese now sitting in about twenty lifeboats. [Bridgland p115-129. ] Controversy still attaches to this action in that troops in the water were deliberately targeted by the "Wahoo". Vice Admiral Charles Lockwood, asserts that the survivors were army troops and turned machinegun and rifle fire on "Wahoo" while she maneuvered on the surface, and that such resistance was common in submarine warfare. [Lockwood p...]
Clay Blair, states that Morton opened fire first and the shipwrecked returned fire with handguns. [Blair p384-386]

After some time "Wahoo" moved away to intercept the two fleeing ships. She decided to attack the tanker first since she was as yet undamaged. With only four torpedoes left, the submarine fired two at the tanker, the second hitting her just abaft of his midships, breaking her back. She went down almost instantly. "Wahoo" then turned her attention to the freighter and fired her last two torpedoes without a spread. They both hit. Fifteen minutes later, the freighter sank, having absorbed four hits from three separate attacks. "Wahoo" then set a course for Fais Island. Postwar, JANAC only credited "Wahoo" with three sinkings: the transport, "Buyo Maru" (5300 tons), "Fukuei Maru" (2000 tons), and an unknown "maru" (4000 tons).

On 27 January 1943, "Wahoo" made contact with a convoy of eight ships, including two freighters and a tanker. However, efforts to gain a position were foiled by a persistent destroyer escort who dropped six depth charges. The submarine had no option but to retreat since she had previously expended all torpedoes. The next day, "Wahoo" sighted Fais Island, and her plan to shell a phosphorite refinery was scrapped due to the untimely appearance of an inter-island steamer.

The submarine departed for Hawaii and arrived there on 7 February, 23 days after leaving Brisbane. For her entrance into Pearl Harbor, "Wahoo" had donned topside embellishments to celebrate her victory. There was a straw broom lashed to her periscope shears to indicate a clean sweep. From the signal halyard fluttered eight tiny Japanese flags, one for each Japanese ship believed to have been sunk in all three of "Wahoo"'s patrols.

"Wahoo" commenced refit by a tender relief crew and the ship's force. On 15 February, refit was completed, and the submarine was declared ready for sea on 17 February. She then conducted two days of training and was drydrocked at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, on 21 February.

Fourth patrol, February – April 1943

On 23 February 1943, "Wahoo" got underway for Midway Island, where she arrived four days later, topped off, and headed for her patrol area. For "Wahoo"'s fourth patrol, Morton was assigned to the extreme northern reaches of the Yellow Sea, in the vicinity of the Yalu River and Dairen, an area never before patrolled by United States submarines. One reason for this was the water was extremely shallow, averaging 120 feet (40 m). From 27 February to 11 March, the submarine was "en route" to her patrol area, conducting training dives, fire control drills, and battle surface drills. She had the unique experience of making the entire passage to the China Sea without sighting a single aircraft, thus making most of the trip surfaced. On 11 March, "Wahoo" commenced a submerged patrol in her assigned area and along the Nagasaki-Formosa and Shimonoseki-Formosa shipping routes.

On 19 March 1943, the shooting began with a freighter identified as "Zogen Maru". A single torpedo was fired, and it hit the after part of the ship, causing it to disintegrate upon impact. The forward part of the freighter sank two minutes later. There were no survivors. Four hours later, "Wahoo" sighted a new freighter, "Kowa Maru", and fired two torpedoes. The first hit under the target's foremast with a terrific blast, leaving a tremendous hole up her side, but her bow remained intact. The second hit amidships; it was a dud. Two more torpedoes were fired, but the freighter maneuvered to avoid.

"Wahoo" then patrolled off the Korean coast, just south of Chinnampo. On 21 March, she sighted a large freighter identified as "Hozen Maru". She fired three torpedoes, and the third hit the Japanese freighter amidships. She went down by the bow, sinking in four minutes, leaving approximately 33 survivors clinging to the debris.

Four hours later, "Wahoo" sighted the freighter [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g60000/g60948.jpg"Nittsu Maru"] . The submarine fired a spread of three torpedoes; two hit, one under her bridge and the other under her mainmast. The ship went down in three minutes. Four survivors ignored all efforts to rescue them. After collecting a few souvenirs from the scattered wreckage, "Wahoo" commenced a surfaced patrol, heading for Shantung Promontory. On 22 March, the submarine headed for Laotiehshan Promontory, just around the corner from Port Arthur.

The following day, as "Wahoo" patrolled Laotiehshan Channel, also known as "Sampan Alley", she found herself surrounded by targets. "Wahoo" sighted a medium-size ship, apparently a freighter, and fired one torpedo. This hit what transpired to be the collier "Katyosan Maru" just under the bridge, immediately enveloping her in a screen of coal dust. She settled fast and slowed down, vanishing in 13 minutes.

"Wahoo" set a course for a point to the northeast of Round Island, off Dairen. In the vicinity of the port's approaches, the deepest water is about 50 fathoms (90 m), with an average depth of around 20 fathoms (40 m). The Yellow Sea was no place for a submarine to be caught unawares.

On 24 March, at 12:47, "Wahoo" sighted smoke and began to make her approach. At 19:49, she fired a spread of three torpedoes at a large tanker which was fully loaded with fuel oil. The first two exploded prematurely, the third missed. "Wahoo" fired a fourth shot; it also missed. The target commenced firing deck guns at "Wahoo". The submarine surfaced after 14 minutes of ducking shots, gained position ahead, and dove. She fired another three torpedo spread. One hit the engine room and sank the ship in four minutes. The tanker was identified as "Takaosan Maru".

The next day, "Wahoo" sighted freighter "Satsuki Maru". She fired two torpedoes; when both exploded prematurely, so "Wahoo" "battle surfaced" to use her guns. She closed the target, raked her with 20 millimeter shells and holed her with almost 90 rounds of four-inch. The target caught fire in several places and sank in about one hour.

"Wahoo" left on the following morning to investigate a ship on the horizon, which proved to be a small diesel-driven freighter. The submarine commenced firing with her 20 millimeter and four-inch guns. The freighter tried to ram, but "Wahoo" had no trouble in keeping clear. She continued her gunfire, setting the freighter ablaze from stem to stern and leaving her dead in the water. The crew alternated looks through the periscope as the freighter sank.

Later that day, "Wahoo" sighted a 100-ton trawler and opened up with her four-inch and 20 millimeter guns. When all three 20 millimeter guns jammed, "Wahoo" went alongside the riddled trawler and the "Wahoo" men hurled on board some homemade Molotov cocktails, gifts from the marines at Midway Island. "Wahoo" departed, leaving the ship wrecked, spouting flame and smoke. On 28 March, while conducting a surfaced patrol on the Shimonoseki-Formosa shipping route, "Wahoo" opened fire on two motor sampans with two 20 millimeter guns. They did not sink but were also left wrecked.

The following day, the submarine sighted the freighter "Yamabato Maru" and fired two stern tubes. The first torpedo hit at the point of aim under the mainmast and completely disintegrated everything abaft of the stack. The forward section sank in two minutes. The second torpedo was aimed at the foremast; it missed because the first torpedo stopped the freighter in its tracks.

"Wahoo" surfaced, transited Collnett Strait, and headed home, concluding a war patrol which topped the record to date in number of ships sunk. Pearl Harbor reported, "Japanese think a submarine wolf pack operating in Yellow Sea. All shipping tied up."

Meanwhile, the United States mounted its offensive against Attu, and Admiral Koga Mineichi returned his major units from Truk to Tokyo Bay for the sortie to Alaska. Forewarned by codebreakers the Japanese intended to counter the Attu invasion by a major sortie of the fleet, Rear Admiral Charles Lockwood (ComSubPac) sent his top sub to the Kurils to intercept it: "Wahoo".

On 6 April 1943, "Wahoo" arrived at Midway Island, and commenced refit the following day. On 21 April and 22 April, she conducted training underway and was declared ready for sea on 25 April.

Fifth patrol, April – May 1943

"Wahoo" began her fifth war patrol on 25 April, departing Midway Island under air escort for patrol areas via the Kuril Islands. The following day, she commenced surfaced patrol and reconnoitered Matsuwa, taking photographs of the enemy installations, exploring chain to the southwest and finding them barren and completely covered with snow and ice.

On 4 May, "Wahoo" proceeded to reconnoiter the northeast tip of Etorofu Island; she found nothing and changed course to the southeast. Morton was positioned to intercept a seaplane tender, "Kamikawa Maru". The submarine sighted the target and fired a divergent spread of three torpedoes. The first hit between the stack and bridge; the other two missed. "Kamikawa Maru" turned away and was making 11 knots (20 km/h), with a slight list. "Wahoo" continued on an easterly course, surfaced and continued her patrol of the Kurils southward.

Three days later, "Wahoo" sighted two ships hugging the shoreline on a northerly course, 12 miles (22 km) off the Benten Saki coast, and dived. She fired two torpedoes at the leading ship, followed immediately by a spread of four at the escort. The first torpedo hit the leading ship, "Tamon Maru #5", under the stack and broke her back; the second missed ahead. The escort successfully avoided all four torpedoes fired at her and escaped. "Tamon Maru" (5260 tons) sank, and "Wahoo" proceeded down the coast.

The submarine submerged one mile (2 km) off Kobe Zaki and sighted a three-ship convoy consisting of two escort vessels and a large naval auxiliary. "Wahoo" fired a spread of three torpedoes; two exploded prematurely, the third failed to explode. This ship got away, and "Wahoo" was forced down by the escorts.

On 9 May 1943, "Wahoo" proceeded up the coast with the intention of closing Kone Saki. Radar picked up two targets, soon identified as a large tanker and a freighter in column. They were evidently making the night run between ports without an escort. The submarine fired a spread of three torpedoes at the tanker and immediately thereafter a three torpedo spread at the freighter. "Wahoo" had two successful hits, and both ships went down, "Takao Maru", 3,200 tons and "Jinmu Maru", 1,200 tons.

"Wahoo" cleared the area to the northeast to patrol the Tokyo-Paramushiro route and continued her patrol; on 12 May, she sighted two freighters. The submarine dove to gain position for a "two ship" shot where they would come by in column. She fired four torpedoes from 1200 yards (1100 m); only one hit. Then "Wahoo" fired her last two torpedoes. Nothing was seen of the first. The second hit under the bridge with a dull thud, much louder than the duds heard only on sonar but lacking the "whacking" noise which accompanies a wholehearted explosion. The other freighter opened fire with heavy guns and charged "Wahoo". The submarine was helpless to stop the two ships. "Wahoo" cleared the area to the east and set a course for Pearl Harbor.

"Wahoo"'s fifth war patrol was again outstanding in aggressiveness and efficiency. In ten action-packed days "Wahoo" delivered ten torpedo attacks on eight different targets. However, faulty torpedo performance cut positive results by as much as one-half.

In these last three patrols, "Wahoo" established a record not only in damage inflicted on the enemy for three successive patrols, but also for accomplishing this feat in the shortest time on patrol: a total of 93,281 tons sunk and 30,880 damaged in only 25 patrol days.

"Wahoo" arrived at Pearl Harbor on 21 May 1943. The next day, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, came on board and made presentations of awards. On 23 May, the submarine departed for the Mare Island Navy Yard, and she arrived six days later to commence overhaul. From 11 July to 20 July the submarine underwent intensive post-repair trials and training. On 20 July, squadron commander Captain John B. Griggs, Jr., came aboard and made presentations of awards. The following day, "Wahoo" departed for Pearl Harbor, furnishing services for surface and air forces while "en route". She arrived at Hawaii on 27 July 1943 and departed on 2 August for her patrol area. Four days later, "Wahoo" arrived at Midway Island but left the same day.

Sixth patrol, August 1943

On 13 August, "Wahoo" entered the Sea of Okhotsk, having completed passage through the Etorofu Strait. She arrived in the Sea of Japan the following day and sighted three medium freighters headed south. The submarine fired one torpedo at the trailing ship; it missed. On 15 August, "Wahoo" sighted a large freighter on a northerly course and broke off the chase on the three freighters. She commenced surfaced tracking of the new target and dove for a submerged approach. "Wahoo" fired one torpedo; it hit at the point of aim but was a dud. She fired two more torpedoes. Both missed. "Wahoo" then swung and headed directly for the target, which presented a good up-the-stern shot. The submarine fired another torpedo which missed and must have broached and exploded before the end of the run. "Wahoo" soon sighted an "Otori"-class torpedo boat and commenced evading. She decided to move over on the Hokkaidō-Korea shipping route and spend the night and the following day.

On 16 August, "Wahoo" sighted a freighter headed south but made another contact in a better position for attack. Shifting targets, she fired one torpedo at a medium-sized freighter. It missed. The next day, the scene was repeated with the same results. No pursuit was undertaken, in hope of a loaded one heading south. However, "Wahoo" sighted a freighter heading north in ballast and commenced a submerged approach. "Wahoo" fired one torpedo which missed. Just as she fired, a southbound freighter and this target passed each other close aboard; still no hit. She then surfaced and chased the southbound freighter. While pursuing this ship, the submarine sighted another target well ahead and away from the coast, so she shifted targets. While tracking this new target, she passed two small northbound ships—one looked like a tug and the other resembled a tanker. "Wahoo" made a submerged approach and fired a torpedo at the medium sized freighter. It was a miss. She fired again; still a miss, but this torpedo, probably broaching, exploded. The submarine surfaced and headed further away from the coast.

"Wahoo" had the worst possible luck with her torpedoes. Within four days, twelve Japanese vessels were sighted; nine were hunted down and attacked to no avail. Ten torpedoes broached, made erratic runs, or were duds. In light of the poor torpedo performance, ComSubPac ordered "Wahoo" to return to base.

On 19 August, the submarine sighted a ship and commenced tracking. However, she withheld fire when she recognized the flag as Soviet. "Wahoo" then headed for La Perouse Strait. The next day, she sighted a sampan and fired warning shots across the bow. When the sampan failed to stop, the submarine opened up on it with her 20 millimeter and four-inch guns. The sampan was soon a wreck with no signs of life. However, six Japanese fishermen surrendered and were taken on board as prisoners of war. Eight hours later, "Wahoo" opened fire on two more sampans, enveloping them in flames. Members of the crews jumped overboard but showed no desire to be rescued. "Wahoo" completed the passage of Etorofu Strait and arrived at Midway Island on 25 August. She immediately got underway for Pearl Harbor and arrived there on 29 August.

Seventh patrol, September – October 1943

Morton, smarting from his last luckless patrol, asked to return to the Sea of Japan, and permission was granted. He elected to take a full load of the newly-arrived Mark XVIII electric torpedo rather than chance the Mark XIV steam torpedoes might still be defective. "Wahoo" got underway from Pearl Harbor, topped off fuel and supplies at Midway on 13 September, and headed for La Perouse Strait. The plan was to enter the Sea of Japan first, on or about 20 September, with USS|Sawfish|SS-276|2 following by a few days. At sunset on 21 October, "Wahoo" was supposed to leave her assigned area, south of the 43d parallel, and head home. She was instructed to report by radio after she passed through the Kurils. Nothing further was ever heard from "Wahoo".

On 5 October, the Japanese news agency, Domei, announced to the world a steamer, the 8,000 ton "Konron Maru", was sunk by an American submarine off the west coast of Honshū near Tsushima Strait, with the loss of 544 lives. In addition, JANAC showed "Wahoo" sank three other ships for 5,300 tons, making a patrol total of four ships of about 13,000 tons. Japanese records also reported, on 11 October, the date "Wahoo" was due to exit through La Perouse Strait, an antisubmarine aircraft sighted a wake and an apparent oil slick from a submerged submarine. The Japanese then initiated a combined air and sea attack with numerous depth charges throughout the day. "Sawfish" had been depth-charged by a patrol boat while transiting the strait two days before, and the enemy's antisubmarine forces were on the alert in that area; their attacks fatally holed "Wahoo", and she sank with all hands. Despite the assertions of Dick O'Kane, [O'Kane, "Wahoo".] it is unlikely she was the victim of a circular run by one of her own torpedoes. Other speculation in some texts suggests that she may have struck a mine. She was declared overdue on 2 December 1943 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 6 December 1943.

The loss of "Wahoo" caused profound shock in the submarine force. All further forays into the Sea of Japan ceased, and it was not breached again until June 1945, when special mine detecting equipment became available.

The search for and locating of Wahoo

"Wahoo" has long been believed to be resting in the Soya (La Perouse) Strait between Hokkaidō, Japan and Sakhalin, Russia. Since 1995, the Wahoo Project Group (an international team of Americans, Australians, Japanese, and Russians and led by a relative of Commander Morton) has been searching for her based on the available evidence. Japanese Vice Admiral Kazuo Ueda working with the Wahoo Project Group examined the historical record and correctly predicted the location of Wahoo. In 2005, electronic surveys in the region yielded what turned out to be a U.S. "Gato"-class submarine in the Strait; in July, 2006, the Russian team "Iskra" investigated the site which contributed further evidence of location of the "Wahoo".

On October 31, 2006 the United States Navy confirmed that the images provided by the “Iskra” team are of "Wahoo", the 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. [http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=26378]

On July 8, 2007 the United States Navy conducted a wreath-laying ceremony at sea for the crew of "Wahoo". The ceremony was held on the confirmed site of the sinking of "Wahoo" as a joint exercise with the Navy of the Russian Federation.

On October 11, 2007 the United States Navy held an official remembrance ceremony for the crew of "Wahoo". The ceremony was conducted at the USS|Bowfin|SS-287|6 Museum and Submarine Park at Pearl Harbor and was followed by the a presentation of the history of the "Wahoo" search and discovery by the Wahoo Project Group.

ailors lost on "Wahoo"

‘’Wahoo’’ was declared overdue on 2 December 1943 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 6 December 1943.

A list of all those lost with her can be seen [http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss-wahoo-238.htm here] .

See also

*HMS|Torbay|N79|6 and U-852 for other boats involved in alleged war crimes.
*List of military figures by nickname

References

Sources

*DANFS
* O'Kane, Richard H., Rear Admiral, USN (ret.). "Wahoo: The Patrols of America's Most Famous WWII Submarine", Presidio Press 1987. ISBN 0-89141-301-4. O'Kane was "Wahoo"'s executive officer on her first five war patrols.
* Grider, George. "War Fish".
* Beach, Edward L. "Ned", Jr., Captain, USN (ret.). "Submarine!". United States Naval Institute Press, 2003. (reprint 1952 edition)
* Tony Bridgland "Waves of Hate" ( 2002) ISBN 1557 5043 93

* Clay Blair "Silent Victory" (2001 ) ISBN 1557 502 17X

* Charles Lockwood "Sink Em All" ( ) ISBN 0553 2391 98
* Sterling, Forest J. "Wake of the Wahoo: The Heroic Story of America's Most Daring WWII Submarine, USS Wahoo" R.A. Cline 4th ed. 1999 ISBN 978-0966323528 written by a senior enlisted crewman (the ship's yeoman) who left the ship for other duties just before her fatal last cruise, with personal insights into her captain and crew.

External links

* US Navy Homepage, " [http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=26378= Navy Says Wreck Found Off Japan is Legendary Sub USS Wahoo] "
* [http://www.mackinnon.org/Wahoo-Project-Press-Release-2006-08-10.pdf Press release of the possible locating of "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.csp.navy.mil/news/rel070709.html Press release of wreath-laying ceremony held at sea for the crew of "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w1/wahoo-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08238a.htm navsource.org: USS "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss238.txt hazegray.org: USS "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.mackinnon.org/wahoo-home-frame.html The USS "Wahoo" Home Page]
* [http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss-wahoo-238.htm On Eternal Patrol: USS "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.warfish.com The "Wahoo" Gazette and other information]
* [http://www.rddesigns.com/ww2/wahoo.html Sinkings by boat: USS "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.csp.navy.mil/ww2boats/wahoo.htm ComSubPac: Loss of "Wahoo"]
* [http://www.warfish.com/patrol3con.html "The Gun Action": an account of the "Buyo Maru" sinking]
* [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/hague10.htm Geneva Convention Article 16]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/3166/ Submarine atrocities]