U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479) — war patrol report SS-479_DIABLO.pdf

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START OF REEL
JOB NO.

OPERATOR

DATE  10-3-72

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO—NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION
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DIABLO (SS-479)
WW II PATROL FILE
ALL MATERIAL ON THIS REEL IS DECLASSIFIED

For Deck Logs March - December 1945
Consult National Archives Which Has Custody.

[J.A. Kountz]

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NAVY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
DIVISION OF NAVAL HISTORY (OP 29)
SHIP'S HISTORY SECTION

HISTORY OF USS DIABLO (SE 479)

USS DIABLO is named for a fish, known scientifically as Ogcocephalus vespertilio. The striking appearance, particularly in frontal view, has given rise to the common name "Diablo" meaning "devil." The scientific name "vespertilio" means "bat." The Diablo inhabits the shoals in waters as deep as 15 fathoms and is known from the West Indies coastwise north to North Carolina. It probably ranges as far south as Brazil. It is characterized by a broad and flattened head, being immediately distinguished from related species by a long pointed snout. Spines cover the head and body which is a pale grayish-brown above, the belly a coppery red, with white fins outlined in a broad black margin.

USS DIABLO (SE 479), a submarine, was built by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire. Her keel was laid 11 August 1944 and she was launched on 1 December 1944 under the sponsorship of Mrs. V. O. Chapline, wife of Captain Chapline, USN. The ship was placed in commission on 31 March 1945 when Lieutenant Commander C. C. Matheson, USN, assumed command. After shakedown training to areas off New London and Newport, DIABLO departed New London, Connecticut, 29 May 1945. She arrived at Key West, Florida, 5 June and rendered service to the Fleet Sonar School at that port until 15 August 1945. After intensive training while based at Balboa, Canal Zone (19 June - 2 July), she arrived at Pearl Harbor on 21 July 1945.

DIABLO departed Pearl Harbor on 10 August 1945, enroute to Saipan in the Marianas Islands in preparation for her first war patrol. On 15 August she received notice of cessation of hostilities and the next day received orders changing her destination to Apra Harbor, Guam, Marianas Islands. She arrived at Apra Harbor on 22 August and departed 1 September 1945, enroute to the east coast of the United States. She called at Pearl Harbor (10-11 September), completed transit of the Panama Canal on 28 September, and arrived at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York, 4 October 1945. She visited the Naval Base at Charleston, South Carolina (25-29 October) and underwent repairs in the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire (5-14 December), returning to Tompkinsville after each of these events.

DIABLO departed Tompkinsville on 8 January 1946 and arrived at Balboa, Canal Zone, 15 January 1946, for duty as a unit of Submarine Squadron SIX based at that port. She conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama from the Submarine Base at Balboa until 13 September 1945; then visited Vera Cruz, Mexico and Havana, Cuba, enroute to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, arriving 29 September 1946. She underwent overhaul until 13 January 1947 and then
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USE DIABLO (SS 479)

conducted training off St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands before return to her base at Balboa, 26 January 1947. Local operations were intervened by training cruises to the Virgin Islands and Trinidad (3-22 March), and to Puerto Rico, Cuba and Jamaica (6 May - 5 Jun 1947). She departed Balboa on 23 August 1947 to conduct her first simulated war patrol in company with submarines CUTLASS and CONGER. This patrol was conducted along the west coast of South America, around Cape Horn, through the Straits of Magellan, thence to Valparaiso, Chile, where she arrived 17 September 1947. DIABLO took part in the Chilean Independence Day celebrations by making demonstration dives with various Chilean military and civilian personnel aboard. She departed Valparaiso on 21 September and returned to her base at Balboa on 1 October 1947. Operating from Balboa, she engaged in anti-submarine warfare exercises for students of the Fleet Sonar School at Key West, Florida (16 Nov - 9 Dec 1947); made a reserve training cruise to Houston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana (5 Mar - 1 Apr 1948); and engaged in refresher training cruise to Guantanamo Bay (22 Apr - 13 May 1948).

DIABLO departed Balboa on 3 July 1948 and after operations at New London, Connecticut (29 - 30 July), underwent overhaul in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (20 Jul - 6 Nov 1948). She called at New London (7-12 November) and after training off Nassau in the British West Indies, returned to Balboa, 23 November 1948. Local operations were intervened by two cruises for service to the Fleet Sonar School, Key West (27 Jan - 21 Feb 1949) and (10-30 Mar 1949). She departed Balboa on 27 April 1949; visited Miami, Florida (1-8 May), then engaged in operations at Key West until 2 June 1949.

DIABLO arrived at Norfolk on 5 June 1949 for local exercises and maneuvers in area from that port until 5 July 1950. She arrived at the Charleston Naval Shipyard the next day and remained for overhaul until 26 October 1950. She resumed operations at Norfolk and conducted two training cruises from that port to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (10 Nov - 18 Dec 1950) and (6 Feb - 12 Mar 1951). She departed Norfolk on 30 April 1951 to participate in convoy exercises off the Atlantic coast, interleaved by celebration of Armed Forces Day at Savannah, Georgia (18-21 May) before return to Norfolk on 24 May 1951. She visited Philadelphia (29 Jun - 5 Jul) and made a refresher training cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (18 Oct - 19 Nov). Resuming operations from Norfolk she departed the Virginia Capes operating area on 24 January 1952 and arrived at Key West to conduct exercises for students of the Fleet Sonar School until 21 February and returned to Norfolk on 24 February 1952. She departed Norfolk on 12 May 1952 for operations off Charleston and underwent overhaul in the Charleston Naval Shipyard (16 May - 11 Sep 1952). She made a brief call at Norfolk (14-16 Sep) and arrived at the New London Submarine Base on 17 Sep 1952 for duty with Submarine Squadron TWO.

DIABLO continued operations as a unit of Submarine Squadron TWO from the Submarine Base at New London, Connecticut, through 31 December 1958. Local operations included training exercises for students of the submarine
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USS DIABLO (SS 479)

school and tactical maneuvers with air and surface units. This duty was intervened by periodic training cruises to Halifax, Nova Scotia; inter-type submarine warfare exercises to waters of Bermuda and return; and periodic cruises to participate in Fleet exercises in waters off Cuba and the islands of the West Indies. She also completed several tours of service for training of students of the Fleet Sonar School at Key West, Florida, where she also rendered service to the Operational Development Force in the testing and evaluation of new weapons and equipment. Periods of overhaul and refit were spent in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the yard of the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut.

LIST OF COMMANDING OFFICERS

CDR Gordon G. Matheson, USN:        31 Mar 1945 - 27 Nov 1946
CDR John P. Ryder, USN:             27 Nov 1946 - 8 Jun 1948
LCDR Sigmund A. Robeyanski, USN:    8 Jun 1948 - 1 Jul 1950
LCDR Harold E. Rice, USN:           1 Jul 1950 - 1 Jul 1952
LCDR Charles E. Stavy, USN:         9 Jul 1952 - 19 Jan 1956
LCDR Ralph F. Jackson, USN:         19 Jan 1956 - 12 Nov 1957
LCDR Richard L. Underwood, USN:     19 Jan 1956 - 12 Nov 1957
LT William H. Kroencke, USN:        12 Nov 1957 -

ORIGINAL STATISTICS

LENGTH OVER-ALL:                     311'8"
EXTREME BEAM:                        27'4"
STANDARD DISPLACEMENT:               Tons: 1570
Mean Draft:                          15'3"
SUBMERGED DISPLACEMENT:              Tons: 2444
DESIGNED COMPLEMENT:                 7
Officer:                             69
Enlisted:

ARMAMENT:
Torpedo Tubes:                       (10) 21"
                                      (1) 5'/25
                                      (2) 20-mm.
Secondary:                           (2) 30 caliber machine guns
                                      24

TORPEDOES:
DESIGNED SPEED:                      20.25 knots
                                      Surfaced: 8.75 knots

3 Compiled and Stenciled
27 Jan 1959 (ke)
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U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

SS479/A16-3
Serial ( 017 )

C- DECLASSIFIED

22 August 1945

From: The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479)
To: Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via: (Official Channels)

Subject: U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479), Report of War Patrol No. One.

Enclosure: (A) Subject report. (Track chart not included since patrol
terminated by cessation of war before reaching area.)

1. Enclosure (A), covering the first war patrol of this vessel
during the period 10 August, 1945 to 22 August, 1945, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: G. G. MATHESON]
G. G. MATHESON

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
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SS479/A16-3
Serial (017)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479), Report of War Patrol No. One.

(A) PROLOGUE

DIABLO was built by the U.S. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.

1 December 1944
Launched and christened by Mrs. V.D. Chaplin;

31 March 1945
Placed in commission and delivered to Commanding Officer by Rear Admiral T. Withers, USN, Commandant, U.S. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.

28 May 1945
Completed normal training period in the Portsmouth - Newport - New London area under Captain A.E. Bannister, Commandor Submarine Division 361. Ensign N. R. Levey, USNR, EFSG, Bureau of Ships reported aboard for temporary duty in connection with TFA sound.

29 May - 4 June 1945
Enroute New London, Conn., to Key West, Fla.

5-14 June 1945
At Key West, Fla., rendering services to Fleet Sonar School. Lt.(jg) L.L. Robertson, USNR, Training Film and Motion Picture Branch, Bureau of Aeronautics, reported aboard for temporary duty.

15-19 June 1945
Enroute to Key West, Fla., to Balboa, C.Z.

20 June - 2 July 1945
In Panama area conducting intensive training under Captain J.G. Johns, USN, Commander Submarine Squadron Three. Fired 37 exercises torpedoes. Detached Lt.(jg) L.L. Robertson on 1 July 1945, upon completion of temporary duty.

3-21 July 1945
Enroute to Balboa, C.Z., to Pearl Harbor, T.H. (in company with AK-172 (CLARION) until 15 July 1945.
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SS479/146-3
S/N: (017)

C O N F I D E N T I A L

Subject: U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479), Report of War Patrol No. One.

NAME                          No. PATROLS
O'DONNELL, John J.           CTM(PA)  0
LAVY, Walter D.              CQL(AA)(T)  5
OZIG, Franciszek             CLCM(PA)  5
SCOTT, Arnold D.             CLCM(AA)(T)  7
JENSEN, Henry B.,            CEM(IA)(T)  8
LOTZKA, John W.              CPH(AA)(T)  3

10 August 1945
1330(WT) Departed Pearl Harbor for first war patrol in accordance with ComSubPacAdCom operation order No. 167-A-45, in company with U.S.S. BOFFIN. Escorted by PC-599 until derelict. Conducting joint training exercises with BOFFIN while enroute Saipan.
2030(WT) TD! out of commission.

11 August 1945
1200(WT) Posit. 20-51N; 162-38W.

12 August 1945
.109(X) Completed transmission serial one to ComSubPacAdCom giving details of TD! troubles and requesting my training motor be sent Saipan.
1200(WT) Posit. 21-18N; 168-35W.
1700(X) Received answer to our serial one.

13 August 1945
2132(X) Completed transmission serial two to ComSubPacAdCom giving further date on TD!.
1200(X) Posit. 21-46N; 174-15W.

14 August 1945
1200(WT) Posit. 21-51N; 179-51W.
1250(WT) Crossed international date line. Dropped 15 August from calendar.
1307(WT) Received ComSubPac serial three two, our cease firing orders. The Japs are giving up.

16 August 1945
0045(X) Received orders changing destination to Guam.
1700(WT) BOFFIN reversed course and headed for Pearl. The long awaited day appears to be officially here.
1054(X) Completed transmission serial one to ComSubPac giving details on sickness of PALMCOURT, J.V., 209 24 39, 61E, USN, who was stricken last night with possible spinal meningitis. PALMCOURT's condition not serious, but very painful with pains at base of spine and legs, chills, prostration, headache, sore neck, and convulsions. He has no temperature. Treatment consists of 15 grains of sulfanilamide with sodium bicarbonate every four hours.

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ENCLOSURE (A)
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SS479/A16-3
serial ( 017 )
C O N F I D E N T I A L
Subject:  U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479), Report of War Patrol No. One.

16 August 1945
1200(1)  Posit. 21-52N; 175-10E.
1515(A)  Received answer from ComSubPac with orders to continue giving
          RAINECOURT present treatment, plus penicillin. Acknowledged receipt
          to ComSubPac.
2230(1)  RAINECOURT's condition is much better. His pains are much less severe.

17 August 1945
1200(H)  Posit. 21-42N; 169-08E.

18 August 1945
1200(K)  Posit. 21-03N; 162-32E.

19 August 1945
0000(C)  Completed transmission of rendezvous request to CTG 17.7.
1200(L)  Posit. 19-21N; 157-02E.
1300(C)  Sighted B-24 bombers.
1500(L)  Exchanged calls with U.S.S. HACKLEBACK.

20 August 1945
0720(C)  Exchanged calls with U.S.S. NICABAT and PADDLE.
0900(K)  Our sick men, RAINECOURT, had another attack. This is the second
          bad attack.
1200(K)  Posit. 18-26N; 151-13E.
1220(K)  Passed following submarines: SILVERSIDES, HOI, CULLEBACK, POISON,
          THRIFTY, SKATE, and SPRINGER.
1400(K)  RAINECOURT's attack has worn off, and he is getting some rest. Will
          not send message reporting his condition unless he has another attack
          tonight.
2100(K)  Passed U.S.S. MAIPRO and DRUL.
2310(K)  Passed U.S.S. GAR and SEAMET.

21 August 1945
0600(C)  Sighted Marianas Islands, distance 50 miles. Sighted numerous
          planes during day.
1200(K)  Posit. 17-32N; 145-10E.
1830(K)  Sent floating oil drum with .50 caliber.
2335(K)  Passed U.S.S. TORO, PERCH, and PETO.

22 August 1945
0055(C)  Passed U.S.S. JACK, RAY, COBIA, CHOAKER, and ICEFISH.
0430(K)  Met our escort, PC-313, and proceeded toward Guam.
0715(K)  Lt.Comdr. POPE, (T2), came aboard and diagnosed RAINECOURT's sickness
          as hysteria. He was not to be quarantined.
0743(K)  Moored in nest alongside U.S.S. FULTON, Apra Harbor, Guam.

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ENCLOSURE (A)
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SS479/A16-3
Serial ( 017 )
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. DIASLO (SS-479), Report of War Patrol No. One.

(C) WEATHER
Weather was excellent during entire period.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION
No comments.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
No comments.

(F) SHIP CONTACTS
Ship contacts consisted of twenty-two friendly U.S. submarines passed in groups of from one to seven.

(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS
No comments.

(H) ATTACK DATA
None.

(I) LINES
None encountered.

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS
None.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE
None.

(L) RADIO
None.

(M) R.D.R.
None.

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EXCLUSION (A)
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SS479/116-3
Serial (017)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479), Report of War Patrol No. One

(N) SONAR GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS
TDI was inoperative because of a faulty training motor and gear box. Our original training motor was replaced the last day in Pearl. This replacement did not have modification kit to WFA sound #994-700 installed; this modification is necessary before the TDI can be operated. Other features of WFA sound operated satisfactorily.

(O) DENSITY LAYERS
No comments.

(P) HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY
The general health of officers and men was good. The suspected spinal meningitis case proved to be Hysteric. This man will be transferred immediately to the U.S.S. FULTON for treatment. There was one mild appendicitis attack from which the patient completely recovered in three days. This man will be sent to the FULTON for examination.

(Q) PERSONNEL
(a) Number of men detached after previous patrol84
(b) Number of men on board during patrol41
(c) Number of men qualified at start of patrol41
(d) Number of men qualified at end of patrol42
(e) Number of unqualified men making their first patrol

Performance of duty of officers and men since the commissioning of this vessel has been of the highest order. Lieutenant Commander H. J. GREENE, USN, deserves the greatest credit for the organization, training, and spirit aboard this vessel. He is highly recommended for command of a fleet submarine.

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED
Pearl Harbor to Guam - 3,799 miles. 50,750 gals.

(S) DURATION
Days - Pearl Harbor to Guam - 11

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ENCLOSURE (A)
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SS479/416-3
Serial ( 017 )
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject:  U.S.S. DIABLO (SS-479), Report of War Patrol No. One.

(R) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING
                TORPEDOES   FUEL          PROVISIONS     PERSONNEL FACTOR
                18          62,700 gals.  70 days        Unlimited
Limiting factor this patrol: Cessation of war.

(U) COMMUNICATIONS, RADAR, AND SONAR COUNTERMEASURES
No comment.

(V) REMARKS.
None.

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ENCLOSURE (A)
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SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE FLEET TWO
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California

Serial O16
25 August 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

THE SECRETARY to:
USS DIALLO (SS479) Conf.
Ltr. SS/79/AL-3 Ser. 017
of 22 August 1945

From: The Commander Submarine Division THREE FLEET TWO.
To: The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via: (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron THREE FOUR.
      (2) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
      (3) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. DIALLO (SS479) - Report of First Patrol Number ONE.

1. The first war patrol of the USS DIALLO under the command of Lieutenant Commander G.G. Matheson, U.S. Navy, was conducted during the period 10 August to 22 August 1945. The patrol was terminated by orders of The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.

2. The Division Commander congratulates the Commanding Officer, officers and crew upon the return from this first patrol which was cut short by reason of the cessation of hostilities.

[HANDWRITTEN: E. B. McHugh]
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FC5-34/A16-1
SUBMARINE SQUADRON THIRTY-FOUR

Serial: ( 058 )
Caro of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California
26 August 1945.

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
USS DIABLO (SS479) Conf.
Ltr. A16-3 Serial 017
of 22 August 1945.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-FOUR.
To: The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via: (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
      (2) The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. DIABLO (SS479) - Report of War Patrol No. ONE.

1. Although the U.S.S. DIABLO did not reach its patrol area prior to the cessation of hostilities, it had commenced its war path in accordance with its operation order and thus this report is forwarded as part of its war diary.

2. The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-FOUR welcomes the officers and men of the U.S.S. DIABLO to the squadron and regrets that the opportunity to inflict damage upon the enemy did not present itself.

E.W. GARNFELL
[SIGNATURE: E. W. GARNFELL]
E. W. GREENFELL.
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FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18)                     SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 02271
CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to DIASLO Report of
First War Patrol.

CONSUBPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 898
U.S.S. DIASLO - 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. DIASLO (59479) - Report of First War Patrol
          (10 August to 22 August 1945).

The U.S.S. DIASLO, under the command of Lieutenant Commander
G.G. Matheson, U.S. Navy, departed for her first war patrol but did not reach
her assigned patrol area prior to the time the Japanese government capitulated.

2. This report is forwarded in order to complete the war diary of
the U.S.S. DIASLO.

3. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, regrets that this
fine ship did not have an opportunity to prove her prowess in this war.

MERRILL CONSTOCK,
Deputy.

P: DISTRIBUTION:  [UNCLEAR: Distribution Reports]
                      CNO (7)
                      CinCPac (5)
                      JTF-POA (1)
                      AdComPac (1)
                      ConSubPac (1)
                      Cinclant (8)
                      ComSubslant (8)
                      S/M School, JL (2)
                      CO, S/J Base, PE (1)
                      Conspac (2)
                      Comsubpac (20)
                      ComSub7thFl (Fwd Echelon) (2)
                      ComSub7thFl (Rear Echelon) (2)
                      Comronpac (3)
                      ComsubpacCond (2)
                      SUBAD, MI (3)
                      ComsubpacSubordcom (3)
                      All Squadron and Div.
                      Commanders, Pacific (2)
                      ComSubOpTraBal (Airmail) (2)
                      Submarine (1)
                      All Submarines, Pacific (1)

[STAMP: EXTRA / ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: SORG. MICRO]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB OP.18]
[STAMP: RETURN TO FILES]
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April 12, 1946.

MEMORANDUM BY OP-23-E-2.

Letter (FF12-10A)/A16-36(6), serial 36 89 of 18 October 1945 from The Commander Submarine Forces, Pacific Fleet, Administration, Subject: Patrol Reports, cancellation of, ordered that this War Patrol Report be destroyed by burning, stating that no further reference will be made of it, inasmuch as the submarines either did not reach their assigned areas, were en route to a refueling station or were en route toward patrol station for too short a time.

However, the attached report has not been destroyed and is retained for historical purposes only.

J. W. McElroy [SIGNATURE]
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END OF REEL
JOB NO.  F108

1.0  |  1.25  |  1.28  |  1.22
1.1  |  1.20  |  1.18  |  1.16
1.25 |  1.4   |  1.6   |  1.8

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[STAMP: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO–NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION
```