Eastern Connecticut news., 1946-09-28

the First Battle of the Philippine Sea. Although we chased the en- emy force, contact was not re- gained. On the morning of 19 June sighted Japanese Task Force consisting of Shokaku class car- Tier, two heavy cruisers, and three ceStroyers. The carrier was head ing into the wind at "A knots talk ing on planes. When first sighted three planes were circling for a landing, and the flight deck had al- most complete load. At time of firing, two of the planes had land- ed, and the third was getting ready to come in. Fired six torpedoes, three of which hit, sinking this carrier. Was. depth charged for about three hours by the three de- stroyers that dropped well over 100 charges. On l July enjoyed the privilege of being the first sub- marine to enter Saipan, where we refueled. The fighting was still going on, and as we anchored only one mile from the beach, we had a ringside seat. Units of our fleet bombarded Saipan all day, planes bombed intermittently, and at times on the beach you could see our marines making good use of their guns, tanks and flame throw CTS. It was one of the most in- teresting experiences any of us had ever had. In the early after noon of 18 July sank a 100 ton sampan with gunfire about 50 miles east of Luzon. Departed area for Majuro on 25 July. and arrived there on August.
 August-30 August, 1944. Tn Majuro, Marshall Islands. for re- fit, rest period and training. Lieut..
 Gg) E. c. Page. USNR, reported aboard for duty.
 30 August-21 October, 1944. Sec ond War Patrol, conducted in the Philippine area, 5 days duration, 28 days on station. En route to station stopped at Saipan one day for minor repairs and to top off fuel. While in Saipan all hands bad the opportunity to visit ashore and see some mighty interesting sights. On this patrol we were member of wolfpack consisting of RAZORBACK and PIRANHA, and together with nine other sub- marines, formed scouting line to intercept the Japanese Fleet dur ing the invasion of Palau. How ever, the Japanese Fleet made no appearance, and the invasion was successful. On g September we were machine gunned by plane, which made one hit in superStruc- ture before we submerged. There was no serious damage and no cas- Ualties. On 9 October an attack was made on large convoy. but no hits were made, believed due to faulty operation of TDC which was later found to be operating inn properly. Everyone was very hap py when orders were received to proceed to Fremantle, Australia. for refit.
 21 OctOber-14 November, 1944. In Fremantle, Australia, for refit. rest period and training. Detached Lieut.. J. B. Casler, U.S.N., and En- sign R. B. Nichols, Jr., U. s. N., and received on board for duty En- sign E J. Koehne, Jr., U.S.N.
 IA November 1944-13 January 1945. Third War Patrol, conduct ed in the South China Sea and Philippine areas, 61 days duration, AZ days on station. En route to station stopped at Exmouth Gulf, Australia, for a few hours to top Off fuel. On 25 November made night surface attack on one of two Japanese destroyers proceeding at fifteen knots. Fired four torpedoeS, all of which hit, causing target to blow up and sink.
 Evaded on surface while second destroyer dropped depth charges. On 2 December a night submerged attack was made on battleShip escorted by three destroyers and making 18 knots. This attack was frustrated when one of the escorts forced us to go deep just before firing to avoid collision. The att