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Thank you for producing this video about the USS Swordfish SS 193. My late mothers-in-law first husband went aboard Swordfish from the sub Tender USS Holland, and participated in WAR PATROLS 8,9,10,11,12, and tragically 13th. Chief Quartermaster William E Russell, transferred aboard as a signalman for her 8th WAR patrol after schooling on the Sub tender, by the end of the 12th WAR patrol he had transitioned quartermaster. As Quartermaster he plotted the patrols on maps ( I have one that shows the plot of War Patrols 8-12., he also plotted another map with his surface ship voyages from Galveston to Hawaii on the old AO 10 USS Ramapo, a coal burning oiler, transferring to the USS Holland for school and training when he arrived in Hawaii. She drew "first blood" for the US on Japanese merchant vessels after Pearl Harbor. Ran supplies into the PI and brought out officials and gold etc, Reading her After Action Reports I was surprised to see she was equipped with old LEWIS machine guns! I have Chief Russell's Navy Scrap book he started in 1938, including many relics from his time in HI and the PI. We have crew photos and a photo of him standing watch on the starboard bridgewing looking aft to the camera, NAVAL Censors cut out part of the main deck in that photo and we have never been able to determine what may have been there, she didn't have a snorkel. The Swordfish left Mare Island Dec 1944 after refit, and crew having time with family. At the end of the 12th WAR patrol there were two men with the same rating, so a coin was flipped, Bill chose to stay with the boat only having been promoted to Chief a few months earlier and he knew the boat, his shipmate was transferred off to "new construction". We have the War Dept Telegram about being MIA (STILL DIFFICULT TO READ, he was declared "Lost KIA" 1 year later) and all correspondence about the incident from the War Dept. there is a good paperback book written by George Billy, who also had family on the Swordfish. I've met a couple other family members of crew online, and while in the medical field I took care of many Veterans, I always got their stories, a couple of them knew the Swordfish when they worked out of Australia but never knew any of the crew. Sargos were "thin skinned" with max depth of 250 feet but they worked. My Dad worked at Mare Island NSY 1940-1946 turning tubes for submarine periscopes. He saw many of the battle damaged surface ships limp in for repairs and the refits on the subs, DD, and DDE's. We family members are still hoping the Lost 52 will find her and give us closure, BUT they do not reveal where they are searching so as not to get families hopes up. Stand To, with your shipmates Chief Quartermaster William E Russell, ON ERTENAL PATROL USS SWORDFISH SS 193 In the crew photo you show with their Battle flag, William Russell is the 3rd man on the outer edge of the Port side with Whitehat (Dixie cup) behind two crew bareheaded. This was taken while he was still a either a Petty Officer Signalman or Quartermaster rate, not yet promoted to Chief. We have those photos at home.
Once more, thank you for the respectful roll call. So many, so young, each with his specialty critical to the ship’s operation and lethality. Some barely older than boys, tasked with the missions and risks of men. Long may we remember Swordfish and the men who sailed her.
I think America lost 52 subs in the pacific. All hands lost is normal when a sub goes down, and that is why so many of these losses are mystery. Edit: thanks for taps and eternal patrol, video would be incmplete without reading the names.
Look into who are salvaging sunk WW2 ships and you might find the answer. It's probably been scavenged by those people, years ago. They have no respect for the war dead. Only greed for money and profits.
I did not know the Navy had blacks serving in the submarine fleet. Undoubtedly they had a very difficult time. They had courage as all submariners are volunteers.
Want to support the Channel? Click here: www.patreon.com/HiddenHistoryYT
Want U-Boat or Warship models? Go here: hiddenhistoryyt.myshopify.com
Join our FREE Daily WW2 Newsletter: hiddenhistoryyt.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Thank you for producing this video about the USS Swordfish SS 193. My late mothers-in-law first husband went aboard Swordfish from the sub Tender USS Holland, and participated in WAR PATROLS 8,9,10,11,12, and tragically 13th. Chief Quartermaster William E Russell, transferred aboard as a signalman for her 8th WAR patrol after schooling on the Sub tender, by the end of the 12th WAR patrol he had transitioned quartermaster. As Quartermaster he plotted the patrols on maps ( I have one that shows the plot of War Patrols 8-12., he also plotted another map with his surface ship voyages from Galveston to Hawaii on the old AO 10 USS Ramapo, a coal burning oiler, transferring to the USS Holland for school and training when he arrived in Hawaii.
She drew "first blood" for the US on Japanese merchant vessels after Pearl Harbor. Ran supplies into the PI and brought out officials and gold etc, Reading her After Action Reports I was surprised to see she was equipped with old LEWIS machine guns! I have Chief Russell's Navy Scrap book he started in 1938, including many relics from his time in HI and the PI. We have crew photos and a photo of him standing watch on the starboard bridgewing looking aft to the camera, NAVAL Censors cut out part of the main deck in that photo and we have never been able to determine what may have been there, she didn't have a snorkel. The Swordfish left Mare Island Dec 1944 after refit, and crew having time with family. At the end of the 12th WAR patrol there were two men with the same rating, so a coin was flipped, Bill chose to stay with the boat only having been promoted to Chief a few months earlier and he knew the boat, his shipmate was transferred off to "new construction". We have the War Dept Telegram about being MIA (STILL DIFFICULT TO READ, he was declared "Lost KIA" 1 year later) and all correspondence about the incident from the War Dept. there is a good paperback book written by George Billy, who also had family on the Swordfish. I've met a couple other family members of crew online, and while in the medical field I took care of many Veterans, I always got their stories, a couple of them knew the Swordfish when they worked out of Australia but never knew any of the crew.
Sargos were "thin skinned" with max depth of 250 feet but they worked. My Dad worked at Mare Island NSY 1940-1946 turning tubes for submarine periscopes. He saw many of the battle damaged surface ships limp in for repairs and the refits on the subs, DD, and DDE's.
We family members are still hoping the Lost 52 will find her and give us closure, BUT they do not reveal where they are searching so as not to get families hopes up.
Stand To, with your shipmates Chief Quartermaster William E Russell, ON ERTENAL PATROL USS SWORDFISH SS 193
In the crew photo you show with their Battle flag, William Russell is the 3rd man on the outer edge of the Port side with Whitehat (Dixie cup) behind two crew bareheaded. This was taken while he was still a either a Petty Officer Signalman or Quartermaster rate, not yet promoted to Chief. We have those photos at home.
Once more, thank you for the respectful roll call. So many, so young, each with his specialty critical to the ship’s operation and lethality. Some barely older than boys, tasked with the missions and risks of men. Long may we remember Swordfish and the men who sailed her.
An important bit of history here....in 1941 a US Submarine torpedoes a ship and the torpedo actually EXPLODED!!!...and sunk a ship!
Gone but not forgotten.
I think America lost 52 subs in the pacific. All hands lost is normal when a sub goes down, and that is why so many of these losses are mystery. Edit: thanks for taps and eternal patrol, video would be incmplete without reading the names.
Very true .. many Japanese subs simply disappeared as well with no trace or contact
Many in transit to their patrol areas
Being a Submariner was all or nothing risk. Then and today.
Thanks HIDDEN HISTORY.You have steamed a long way this year.All ahead full power.😊
Memories, like comments are quickly forgotten.My Daddy served in da MMS, 38-48 . Didn't ask fer no medals
Some very interesting possibilities!
Well presented.
I hope someone looks for Swordfish
Lost 52 project is.
Why
Look into who are salvaging sunk WW2 ships and you might find the answer.
It's probably been scavenged by those people, years ago. They have no respect for the war dead. Only greed for money and profits.
What does Maru mean when it refers to Japanese freighters or other ships??
MARU = JAPANESE merchant navy ship suffix version of U.S. NAVY = U.S.S. ( ship name )
is there a video on the WAHOO ?
RIP
Rest jn peace brothers. We have the watch.
Why did Swordfish not have the trouble with defective torpedoes in 1942?
Luck, not all torpedoes failed a large number did though until fixed.
Taps off to all.
All WW2 submarines are listed on eternal patrol at the Submarine museum in New London CT or Groton, CT.
First like, first comment.
I am sure you will be receiving a participation trophy in the mail… Jesus
Taps at, to all
Taps to all.
I did not know the Navy had blacks serving in the submarine fleet. Undoubtedly they had a very difficult time. They had courage as all submariners are volunteers.
RIP
I thought the US ward was the first to sink a enemy warship at the mouth of Pearl Harbor yes I know it was a midget submarine
Fair winds and following seas all my brothers of the deep on eternal patrol
still missing for 80 YEAR😂
Taps off to all.