World War II Honoree

Karl Zimmermann

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

West Valley, New York

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.

RADIOMAN FIRST CLASS PETTY OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS SCORPION (SS-278) BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH 1944. DECORATIONS: BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART. USS SCORPION DEPARTED PEARL HARBOR ON 29 DECEMBER 1943 UNDER THE COMMAND OF COMMANDER M.G. SCHMIDT. SCORPION STOPPED AT MIDWAY TO TOP OFF WITH FUEL, AND DEPARTED MIDWAY ON 3 JANUARY 1944 TO CONDUCT HER FOURTH WAR PATROL. ON 5 JANUARY 1944, SHE ATTEMPTED TO RENDEZVOUS WITH SISTER SHIP HERRING (SS-233) TO TRANSFER AN INJURED MAN. HEAVY SEAS PREVENTED THE TRANSFER, AND SCORPION CONTINUED WEST TO HER ASSIGNED AREA WHICH WAS IN THE NORTHERN EAST CHINA AND YELLOW SEAS. SHE WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN AFTER HER DEPARTURE FROM THE RENDEZVOUS. ASSUMED TO BE THE VICTIM OF A JAPANESE MINE, SHE WAS DECLARED LOST ON 6 MARCH 1944. USS SCORPION (SS-278) WENT DOWN WITH 77 OFFICERS AND MEN.