World War II Honoree

Keats Edmund Montross

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Severna Park, Maryland

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veteran

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1935. After Graduation he was assigned to USS NEVADA (BB-46) from 1935 to 1937. In April 1937 he transferred to Battleship Division 4 onboard USS WEST VIRGINIA (BB-48) until January 1938. Then he was assigned under instruction at Naval Submarine School Groton, Connecticut. His first assignment in Submarines was onboard USS-S41 (SS-146) from October 1939 until April 1941. Then he temporarily served for 9 months on the staff of Submarine Squadron Five before going back to S-41 as the Executive Officer for another 11 months and then crossed over to the position of Executive Officer of the USS O-4 (SS-65) from April 1941 to April 1942. In April 1942 he was advanced to the position of Commanding Officer on O-4. In February 1945 he assumed Command of USS SWORDFISH (SS-197) He was killed with the loss of 89 Officers and men onboard USS SWORDFISH (SS-193) most likely on 12 January 1945 near 29-25N, 141-07E, Near Yaku Island off Kyushu, Japan. Cause Unknown. Decorations: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart. USS SWORDFISH, under his command, left Pearl Harbor on 22 December 1944, to carry on her thirteenth patrol in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto. She topped off with fuel at Midway on 26 December and left that day for her area. In addition to her regular patrol, SWORDFISH was to conduct photographic reconnaissance of Okinawa, for preparation of the Okinawa Campaign. On 2 January, SWORDFISH was ordered to delay carrying out her assigned tasks in order to keep her clear of the Nansei Shoto area until completion of carrier based air strikes which were scheduled. She was directed to patrol the general vicinity of 30° 00'N, 132° 00'E until further orders were received. In the last communication received from SWORDFISH, she acknowledged receipt of these orders on 3 January. On 9 January 1945, SWORDFISH was directed to proceed to the vicinity of Okinawa to carry out her special mission. It was estimated that the task would not take more than seven days after arrival on station, which she should have reached on 11 January. Upon completion of her mission, SWORDFISH was to proceed to Saipan, or to Midway if she was unable to transmit by radio. Since neither place had seen her by 15 February, and repeated attempts to raise her by radio had failed, she was reported as presumed lost on that date.