U.S.S. MACABI (SS-375) — war patrol report SS-375_MACABI.pdf

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START OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: G-108] [HANDWRITTEN: (SS-375)]

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OPERATOR [HANDWRITTEN: L. Frye]

DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 7-11-80]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[STAMP: (Seal with eagle and stars) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET - START AND END
NDW-NPPSO-5210/1 (6-78)

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[HANDWRITTEN: F]
[HANDWRITTEN: ┌]
[HANDWRITTEN: ┐]
[HANDWRITTEN: ┐]

[HANDWRITTEN: MACABI (SS-375)]
[HANDWRITTEN: WORLD WAR II PATROL FILE]
[HANDWRITTEN: ALL MATERIAL ON THIS REEL IS DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: J.A. KOONTZ]

[HANDWRITTEN: └]
[HANDWRITTEN: └]
[HANDWRITTEN: ┘]

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NAVY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
DIVISION OF NAVAL HISTORY (OP 09B9)
SHIPS' HISTORIES SECTION

HISTORY OF USS MACABI (SS 375)

USS MACABI (SS 375) was named for a fish of the tropical seas
known scientifically as Albula vulpes (Linnaeus). She was built by the
Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Her keel was
laid 1 May 1944 and she was launched 19 September 1944, under the
sponsorship of Mrs. Arthur S. Carpender, wife of Rear Admiral Carpender,
USN, Commandant of the Ninth Naval District with headquarters at Great
Lakes, Illinois. The fleet submarine was commissioned at Manitowoc on
29 March 1945, Commander Anthony Henry Dropp, USN, in command.

MACABI conducted trials and training on Lake Michigan until 18
April 1945 when she cleared port for New Orleans. The morning of the
19th she entered a floating drydock at Lockport, Illinois, for transit
of Chicago and Mississippi Rivers. She reached New Orleans on 26 April
and put to sea three days later for shakedown operations from the
Submarine Operating Base of Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. She departed that
base on 3 June for final training in Hawaiian waters and stood out of
Pearl Harbor on 9 July for the Marianas Islands.

She entered Apra Harbor, Guam, on 19 July 1945 and got underway
on the 20th to take life guard station in support of the air strikes
on Truk where she arrived the next day. She dived to avoid two aerial
bombs off Moen Island on 31 July and continued life guard duty for
Liberator bombers off Truk until 2 August. She returned to Apra Harbor
on 4 August for voyage repairs and was underway again on the 13th for
more life guard patrol. Hostilities with Japan terminated before she
reached her station and she was ordered to Pearl Harbor where she
touched 27-29 August on her way to San Francisco.

She reached San Francisco Bay on 5 September 1945 and soon entered
the Mare Island Navy Yard for inactivation overhaul. She was
decommissioned in the yard on 16 June 1946 when Commander Henry Anthony
Dropp was detached from duty as her commanding officer. She has remained
inactive since that time and is scheduled for loan to the Government of
Argentina on 23 June 1960, under terms of the Military Assistance Program.

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USS MACABI (SS 375)

ORIGINAL STATISTICS

LENGTH OVERALL:                               311 feet, 9 inches

EXTREME BEAM:                                 27 feet, 3 inches

STANDARD DISPLACEMENT:
  Tons:                                       1,526
  Mean Draft:                                 15 feet, 3 inches

SUBMERGED DISPLACEMENT:
  Tons:                                       2424

DESIGNED DEPTH:                               400 feet

DESIGNED COMPLEMENT:
  Officer:                                    6
  Enlisted:                                   60

DESIGNED SPEED:
  Surfaced:                                   20.25 knots
  Submerged:                                  8.75 knots

ARMAMENT:
  Torpedo Tubes:                              (10) 21-inch
  Secondary:                                  (1) 5-inch .25 caliber
                                              (1) 40-mm
                                              (2) 20-mm
                                              (2) .50 caliber

TORPEDOES:                                    24

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[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST COPY]

SS375/A16-3 (nfs)

U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
27 August 1945

Serial: (025)

C-O-D [STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Official Channels.

Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

Enclosure: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart.

1. Enclosure (A) covering the first war patrol of this vessel
conducted in (a) the Truk area and (b) on Lifeguard Duty during the period
6 July 1945 to 27 August 1945 is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: L. H. DROPP]
L. H. DROPP

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY OP-09B9C DATE 5/31/72]

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: 139672]

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U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

— page 7 —
U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTILL
Subject: Report of First War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

— page 8 —
U.S.S. MICABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MICABI (SS375).

— page 9 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MCGUIRE (SS375).
U.S.S. MCGUIRE (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

B. NARRATIVE (CONT'D):

July 14, 1945 (Cont'd):
1200 (L) Position - Lat. 21-32 N; Long. 164-10 E.
1501 (L) Completed compass compensation. Surfaced.

July 15, 1945:
1200 (L) Position - Lat. 19-54 N; Long. 159-22 E.

July 16, 1945:
(Received dispatch changing destination from Saipan to Guam).
1000 (L) Set ship's clocks back 1 hour to conform with -10 zone time.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 18-44 N; Long. 154-23 E.
1236 (K) Fired 40mm, .50 cal. and .30 cal. at balloon targets to exer-
          cise gun crews.

July 17, 1945:
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 18-14 N; Long. 149-14 E.
1544 (K) Submerged from PB2Y who would not exchange recognition
          signals, and continued heading for us.
1610 (K) Surfaced.
2109 (K) Exchanged recognition signals with USS NORGUIL.

July 18, 1945:
0518 (K) Alamagan Island abeam to port, distance 8 miles.
0922 (K) Commenced sighting numerous friendly aircraft.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 17-00 N; Long. 145-00 E.
2102 (K) Exchanged recognition signals with USS LCI(W) by SJ Radar.

- 4 -
ENCLOSURE (L)

— page 10 —
[UNCLEAR: F-like symbol]
[UNCLEAR: CONFIDENTIAL]
U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

— page 11 —
```
U.S.S. HAWK (SS-371)
Center of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. HAWK (SS-371)
R. H. HENRY (CONT'D)

July 22, 1945 (Cont'd)

0600 (c) Surfaced.
1200 (c) Sighted Venturas aircraft over Taku Islands.
1300 (c) Sighted small reconnoitering vessel Nippon. Aircraft subsequently
    downloaded this vessel during air strike.
1100 (c) A large group of Thunderbolts (recent plane since Mitchell's) began
    air strike.
1154 (c) Observe what seemed to be a heavy merchant entering Aide harbor.
    A large block of enemy shipping was seen from this position.
1200 (c) Position - Lat. 74° 12' N; Long. 151° 32' E.
1256 (c) Sighted and trailed into the Otranto Sea. Air strike passed
    to the north of this vessel.
1345 (c) Sighted aircraft Holy Kame. Attempted to attack with small
    arm fire but could not get in range of effective fire.
1620 (c) Sighted and fired upon Island hunting 240° at distance 60 miles.
2010 (c) Sighted possible Tarawa beach party. I am sending on this
    mission; will also cover Varga island Claro. No hospital,
    wounded, etc. observed.

July 23, 1945

1200 (c) Position - Lat. 73° 30' N; Long. 151° 21' E.
1250 (c) Sighted two aircraft, probably Venturas over Taku Islands.
1400 (c) Position - Lat. 74° 28' N; Long. 151° 27' E.
1500 (c) Sighted two aircraft over Taku Islands.

July 24, 1945

1200 (c) Position - Lat. 74° 24' N; Long. 151° 32' E.
1320 (c) Sighted and talked to Venturas aircraft over Taku Islands.
```

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U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).
B. NARRATIVE (CONT'D):

July 26, 1945:
0230 (K) On station for Superfort strike. Commenced having radar
        contact on a supposed "Dumbo" on V.H.F. who seemed much
        confused and kept asking us for instructions. He finally called
        the Superforts and shoved off in company.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-26 N; Long. 151-15 E.
1523 (K) Radar contact on friendly aircraft bearing 095° T distance 33000 yards.

July 27, 1945:
0227 (K) Sighted anti-aircraft fire over Moen Island.
0953 (K) Sighted Ventura aircraft bearing 210° T, distance 10 miles.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-48 N; Long. 151-49 E.

July 28, 1945:
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-42 N; Long. 151-32 E.
1205 (K) Sighted Ventura aircraft bearing 014° T, distance 35,000 yards.

July 29, 1945:
1123 (K) Sighted Liberator aircraft bearing 212° T, distance 20 miles.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-29 N; Long. 151-21 E.

July 30, 1945:
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-40 N; Long. 151-49 E.
1904 (K) Test fired forward 40mm gun.

July 31, 1945:
0850 (K) Radar and visual contact on aircraft similar to JILL. This aircraft
        triggered ABK, but did not respond to our interrogation.
0854 (K) Submerged when he turned toward.
0857 (K) Depth bomb from aircraft exploded estimated five miles astern.
0903 (K) Second depth bomb exploded estimated five miles astern.

- 7 -
106 (L)

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U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

...NEGATIVE (CONT'D):
July 31, 1945 (Cont'd):
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-51 N; Long. 151-28 E.
1241 (K) Surfaced.
1540 (K) Sighted Jill type aircraft bearing 195° T, distance 10 miles,
           headed toward us.
1541 (K) Submerged.
1738 (K) Surfaced.

August 1, 1945:
0800 (K) Transmitted Serial two to ComSubPac.
1000 (K) Sighted aircraft while submerged, similar to Ventura.
1123 (K) Submerged from closing aircraft radar contact at range 17,000 yards.
           Aircraft not sighted, no IFF response.
1151 (K) Surfaced.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-39 N; Long. 151-15 E.
1255 (K) Sighted Liberator aircraft over Truk Island.
1800 (K) Received ComSubPac dispatch telling us to leave station and
           head for Guam.
1957 (K) Test fired 40mm guns.
2000 (K) Sent MACABI serial three to ComSubPac.

August 2, 1945:
0801 (K) Submerged from closing aircraft radar contact, range 17,000 yards.
           Not sighted.
1015 (K) Surfaced.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 7-51 N; Long. 151-49 E.
1240 (K) Departed lifeguard station enroute Guam.

- 8 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

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U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

— page 15 —
U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

C. WEATHER
The usual calm tropical weather prevailed in the Truk Area.

D. TIDAL INFORMATION:
No comments.

E. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS:
None observed.

F. SHIP CONTACTS
None.

G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS:
Search planes were encountered almost daily in the Truk Area, and most
of these were Ventura, Mitchell and Liberator aircraft.

An enemy plane similar to JILL was contacted positively on two occasions
and radar contacts indicated his presence on two or three other occasions.
This plane dropped two depth bombs on us. It is believed that he was
only after the airfield is repaired following one of our air strikes.
The two major air strikes were on time and no difficulty was had in main-
taining contact by SV Radar.

H. ATTACK DATA:
None.

I. MINES:
None encountered.

- 10 - ENCLOSURE (A)

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```
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. TICKLES (SS375)
Care of Ticket Post Office
San Francisco, California

Subject: Report of PATRUL for Patrol - U.S.S. TICKLES (SS375).

I.  DATE (CYCLE):
    (a) FFI amts blank. Replaced filament tube. Operation
        8th return. Documented and initially replaced per
        Performance log normal.

    (b) Have made out of alignment a thermometer.

    (c) Less expense. Replaced 6-tube follower 6077.
        (1) Internal carrier used; substituted ask return.

II.  GOOD WILL REPORT ON CONDITIONS:
    No comments.

III.  ALARM:
    to manual bypass uncovered.

IV.  SURFACE FOOD AND NUTRITION:
    Food and palatability were generally good, the usual inadequacies were
    remedied by the addition of additional rations for certain categories. The
    critically needed items will be controlled during the current visit.

V.  RECOUNT:
    (a) Number of men discharged after previous patrol: ____
    (b) Number of men on board at end of patrol: ____
    (c) Number of men unfit for next patrol: ____
    (d) Number of men qualified for next patrol: ____

VI.  BULLETIN STANDARD - FISH TRIP:
    Area of sweep:  4515 fathoms, 63,900 miles
    In area:       260 miles, 2,215 miles plus
    Area to date:  540 miles, 2,916 plus

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```

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U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

PART II.

A. PROLOGUE:

1. Refitted alongside U.S.S. FULTON at Apra Harbor, five
days spent by crew at Camp Dealey. Conducted two days
training under Commander Submarine Division 241. Marshall d
Loren.

B. NARRATIVE:

August 13, 1945:

1500 (K) Underway for Lifeguard Patrol in accordance with ComSubPac
OpOrd 199-45.

1535 (K) Rendezvous with USS BIDDLE (SS263) and PC 813.

1803 (K) Made trim dive. (Daily trim and training dives are not
recorded in Narrative).

1812 (K) Surfaced.

1830 (K) Detached PC 813.

August 14, 1945:

0047 (K) USS BIDDLE fired identification flare. Friendly aircraft
in sight.

0219 (K) Contacted a group of 17 ships.

0334 (K) Lost contact with ships.

1200 (K) Position - Lat. 17-20 N; Long. 143-57 E.
Numerous friendly aircraft contacts throughout the day.

1447 (K) Sighted USS SCABBARD FISH (SS397).

August 15, 1945:

1200 (K) Position - Lat. 20-22 N; Long. 139-50 E.

August 16, 1945:

1200 (K) Position - Lat. 25-10 N; Long. 139-31 E.

1537 (K) Received ComSubPac dispatch ordering MACABI and BIDDLE to
Pearl and Midway, respectively.

- 14 - ENCLOSURE (A)

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U.S.S. MICABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
CONFIDENTIAL

Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MICABI (SS375).
Subject:
NARRATIVE (CONT'D): PART II

August 17, 1945:
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 21-12 N; Long. 139-30 E.

August 18, 1945:
0600 (K) Sighted steel buoy. Unable to sink with .50 cal.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 17-45 N; Long. 143-36 E.
Sighted numerous friendly aircraft and much debris throughout
the day.

August 19, 1945:
0118 (K) Passed Alamagan Island abeam to starboard, distance 11 miles.
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 18-05 N; Long. 148-23 E.

August 20, 1945:
1200 (K) Position - Lat. 18-47 N; Long. 154-02 E.
1400 (K) Set all ship's clocks to -11 zone time.
1920 (L) Parted company with USS MIDDIE.
2111 (L) Passed USS CHEVALLE on opposite course.

August 21, 1945:
1200 (L) Position - Lat. 19-51 N; Long. 160-07 E.

August 22, 1945:
1200 (L) Position - Lat. 20-45 N; Long. 166-15 E.
1902 (L) Exchanged recognition signals with USS DRAGONET (SS293).

August 23, 1945:
1200 (L) Position - Lat. 20-45 N; Long. 172-06 E.
1900 (L) Set all ship's clocks to -12 zone time.
2200 (M) Sighted two merchant ships and avoided.

- 15 - ENCLOSURE (L)

— page 22 —
[HANDWRITTEN: F]
[HANDWRITTEN: 7]
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. MACABI (SS375)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Subject: Report of FIRST War Patrol - U.S.S. MACABI (SS375).

PART II

C. WEATHER:
No remarks.

D. TIDAL I FORMATION:
No remarks.

E. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS:
No remarks.

F. SUB CONTACTS:
No remarks.

G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS:
No remarks.

H. ATTACK DATA:
No remarks.

I. MINES:
No remarks.

J. ANTI-SUBMARINE EVASION TACTICS:
No remarks.

K. MAJOR DEFECTS:
No remarks.

L. RADIO:
No remarks.

M. RADAR:
No remarks.

N. SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS:
No comments.

[HANDWRITTEN: L]
[HANDWRITTEN: 2]
[HANDWRITTEN: L]

— page 24 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION ONE HUNDRED FIVE.
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.
28 August 1945.

FB5-105/A98
Serial: 98
C O N F I D E N T I A L
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
Report of
MACABI (SS375)
First War Patrol

From: The Commander Submarine Division ONE HUNDRED FIVE.
To : The Commander Submarine Squadron TEN.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
 (2) The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
 (3) The Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. MACABI (SS375) - Report of War Patrol Number One -
 comments on.

1. The first war patrol of the U.S.S. MACABI was conducted in
two phases, under the command of Commander A. H. DROPP, U.S.N. Phase
one during the period 6 July to 4 August 1945 was spent in the Truk area
and two days enroute from life guard mission. Phase two during the period
13 August to 27 August 1945 was spent enroute to and from life guard mission.
Twelve days were spent in the Truk area and zero days on lifeguard mission.
The patrol was terminated by the cessation of hostilities.

2. No enemy contacts, other than aircraft, were contacted, hence
no damage was inflicted upon the enemy.

3. The Division Commander congratulates the Commanding Officer,
officers and crew upon completion of this vessel's first and last wartime
patrol.

[SIGNATURE: W. H. Brockman, Jr.]
W. H. BROCKMAN, Jr.

— page 25 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON TEN
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

FC5-10/A16-3
Serial: 0265
CONFIDENTIAL
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. MACABI (SS375) -
Report of War Patrol
Number One.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron TEN.
To: The Commander-in-Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via: (1) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC
FLEET, Administration.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. MACABI (SS375) - Report of War Patrol
Number One.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the
Commander Submarine Division ONE HUNDRED FIVE.

2. The Squadron Commander congratulates the Commanding
Officer, officers and crew of the U.S.S. MACABI upon the comple-
tion of her First War Patrol.

[SIGNATURE: G. E. PETERSON]
G. E. PETERSON

— page 26 —
bn
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
24 September 1945.

FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18)
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 02366
CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
To : The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. MACABI (SS375) - Correction to Report of First War
Patrol

Reference: (a) ComSubSPac Third Endorsement, FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18),
Confidential Serial 02302 dated 14 September 1945 to
Subject Patrol Report.

1. The subject of reference (a) is hereby corrected to read as
follows:
U.S.S. MACABI (SS375) - Report of First War Patrol
(6 July to 27 August 1945).

C. C. CRAWFORD,
Chief of Staff.

DISTRIBUTION:
Cominch (5)
CNO (6)
Cincpac (1)
JICPOA (1)
ADICPOA (1)
ComServPac (1)
ComLant (3)
ComSubLant (3)
S/M School, TL (1)
CO, S/M Base, PH (2)
ComSopac (1)
ComSoWesPac (2)
ComSubs7thFlt (Fwd Echelon) (2)
ComSubs7thFlt (Rear Echelon) (1)
ComNorPac (3)
ComSubSPac (20)
ComSubSPacAd.Comd (2)
ComSubSPac, HI (3)
ComSubSPacSubordCom (3)
All Squadron and Div. (2)
Commanders, Pacific (5)
ComSubOpTraFr (2)
ComSubTraPac (1)
All Submarines, Pacific [HANDWRITTEN: 102 VLA]
E. L. HINES, 2nd.
Flag Secretary.

[STAMP: SORG. ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: MICRO]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]

— page 27 —
FF12-10(A)/L16-3(18) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
                                                                                                1d
Serial 02302         EXTRA - ORIGINAL             Care of Fleet Post Office,
                     SORG. [HANDWRITTEN: -----] MICRO          San Francisco, California,
                     PHOTO-LAB [HANDWRITTEN: -----] OP-16         14 September 1945.
[HANDWRITTEN: CONFIDENTIAL]
[HANDWRITTEN: FIRST] ENDORSEMENT to
[HANDWRITTEN: Report] of                               NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
[HANDWRITTEN: First] War Patrol.                             DESTROYED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO
                                                              ENTERING PATROL AREA.

COM SUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 878
U.S.S. MACABI - FIRST WAR PATROL.

From:        The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
To:          The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via:         The Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject:     U.S.S. MACABI (SS375) - Report of First War Patrol
             (6 July to 1 August 1945).
             [HANDWRITTEN: 27]

1. The first war patrol of the MACABI, under the command
of Commander A. H. Dropp, U. S. Navy, was conducted in two phases,
both of which were devoted to lifeguard duties.

2. During the first phase of this patrol the MACABI
spent nine days on station in the vicinity of Truk Island after
which she returned to Guam for replenishment of supplies. She then
departed for an area off the Empire. Before the MACABI reached her
station for the second phase of this patrol hostilities were
terminated and MACABI returned to port. No contacts were made
with enemy shipping and there were no opportunities to rescue avia-
tion personnel.

3. Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol
is not authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, con-
gratulates the commanding officer, officers, and crew of the MACABI
for the completion of this patrol and regrets that this fine ship
was not afforded an opportunity to strike the enemy.

                                                    G. C. CRAWFORD,
                                                    Chief of Staff.

Distribution & Authentication
on next page.
- 1 -

[STAMP: 10 0613]

— page 28 —
1a

FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 02302
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
14 September 1945.

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. M.C.ABI Report of
First War Patrol.

NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 878
U.S.S. M.C.ABI - FIRST WAR PATROL.

Subject: U.S.S. M.C.ABI (SS375) - Report of First War Patrol
(6 July to 4 August 1945).

— page 29 —
2 September 1971

Honorable John H. Chafee
Secretary of the Navy
Washington, D. C. 20390

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing this letter in an attempt to correct a longstanding error in Naval
records on the USS MACABI (SS375) regarding an incident which occurred on or
about 30 July to 9 August 1945.

I had occasion recently to visit the Submarine Museum in Groton, Connecticut,
and chanced upon a copy of the MACABI's war patrol report of July and August, 1945.

In reading this report I found nothing to indicate that the incident to which I refer
was ever recorded. To give you some background on the incident, may I present
the following, in narrative fashion:

In July of 1945 I was a Ship's Cook First Class aboard the USS MACABI, and
on the first war patrol of the MACABI we were operating in the Caroline Islands,
principally in the area of Truk. While on this war patrol I was stricken with
acute appendicitis, on or about the 30th of July. On or about the 5th of August
my appendix burst and peritonitis was setting in. I was attended on that ship
by a Pharmacist's Mate First Class by the name of K. O. Walkington. I do
not remember his first name, but I believe that he did stay in the Navy and
made it a career.

During this period of eleven days of severe fever and illness PhM 1/c Walkington
attended me with great professional skill and performed all the life-saving
measures that were necessary and known at that time. Fortunately for me
PhM 1/c Walkington had aboard ten vials of Penacillin which, as you may
remember, was just introduced in Naval medical circles in 1945. I believe
that because of the Penacillin and PhM 1/c Walkington's professional skill
I survived the ruptured appendix.

As a matter of historical record, I believe that I was the only ruptured appendix
aboard a submarine in World War II, although there were several successful
operations.
[HANDWRITTEN: 2 6107]

— page 30 —
2 September 1971

About four days after the rupture of my appendix the USS MACABI pulled
into Apra Harbor, Guam, next to the USS FULTON, and I was transferred
immediately to Mobile Hospital #18 for treatment. (My memory may not
be correct on the number of the hospital.) While a patient in the hospital
at Guam, I was not operated upon; however, the abscess that had formed
in the peritoneal cavity as the result of the previous lifesaving measures
that I have described was incised and drained.

Upon recovery I was returned to the United States in late 1945 and discharged
from the Service.

To the best of my knowledge and information PhM 1/c Walkington was never
given a Bronze Star Medal for his outstanding performance of duty under combat
conditions for saving my life. Some effort should be made to rectify this situation
by your office, and of course to ensure for myself that the Medical History is
made a part of the official log of the USS MACABI (SS375) War Patrol Report.

I am now 54 years of age and naturally one does not improve medically with age.
The medical damage done at that time to my body may have shortened my life span;
however, I do realize that perhaps it is not measurable.

If you can locate PhM 1/c Walkington, I am sure he can verify this incident.

In addition I could supply names of shipmates aboard the MACABI at that time
to reinforce my statements.

I realize that my procedures for reporting this may not be in accordance with
regulations; however, I feel that it is the quickest way to correct the log of the
USS MACABI (SS375).

[HANDWRITTEN: 2]
[HANDWRITTEN: 2 8107]

— page 31 —
2 September 1971

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your attention to this matter, and if you have
any questions on this matter I will be most happy to supply the additional information,
to the best of my recollection.

Respectfully submitted,

[SIGNATURE: Ewert W. Elliott]
EWERT W. ELLIOTT
[HANDWRITTEN: 612-1910]

3

2 8107

— page 32 —
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