Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Castle Rock, Washington
Honored By
U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.
CHIEF TORPEDOMAN'S MATE KILLED WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS POMPANO (SS-181). DECORATIONS: SILVER STAR, PURPLE HEART. POMPANO LEFT MIDWAY ON AUGUST 20, 1943 TO START SEVENTH WAR PATROL. THE POMPANO WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN. ORDERS WERE TO PATROL OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU FROM ABOUT AUGUST 29 TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1943, AND THEN TO RETURN TO PEARL HARBOR FOR REFIT, STOPPING AT MIDWAY EN ROUTE FOR FUEL. BY OCTOBER 15TH, ALL HOPE WAS ABANDONED, AND POMPANO WAS REPORTED AS PRESUMED LOST IN ENEMY WATERS. THE ENEMY MADE NO ANTI-SUBMARINE ATTACKS DURING THIS PERIOD IN POMPANO’S AREA, SO ENEMY MINES PROBABLY DESTROYED THE SUBMARINE. USS POMPANO (SS-181) WAS LOST WITH 77 OFFICERS AND MEN.