U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS-415) — war patrol report SS-415_STICKLEBACK.pdf

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OPERATOR [HANDWRITTEN: M. Monroe]
DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 2/13/80]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[SEAL TEXT: 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: STICKLEBACK (SS-415)
World War II Patrol File

ALL MATERIAL ON THIS REEL IS DECLASSIFIED.

For Deck Log MARCH - OCTOBER 1945 CONSULT
NATIONAL ARCHIVES WHICH HAS CUSTODY.

J.A. KOONTZ]

— page 3 —
Division of Naval History
Ships' Histories Section
Navy Department

HISTORY OF USS STICKLEBACK (SS 415)

With World War II the submarine became a full-fledged member of the Navy's
fighting team. It contributed directly to the destruction of some two-thirds
of the Japanes merchant fleet and to the demise of about one-third of their
combatant ships. It performed odd jobs of minelaying and of troop transport,
supported guerilla warfare, rescued beleagured nationals, sank innumerable small
craft with gunfire, conducted pre-invasion photo reconnaissance, and picked
out of the water over five hundred Allied aviators downed by the enemy.

The USS STICKLEBACK made her debut in the last act. Her keel was laid
on 1 March 1944 at the Mare Island Navy Yard. As she slid down the ways on 1
January 1945, she was christened by Mrs. John O. R. Coll, widow of Lieutenant
Commander John Owen R. Coll, USN. The sub was named for a very small fresh-
water fish whose body is partly armored with bony plates and short, strong,
pungent spines.

At the commissioning ceremonies on 29 March 1945, the STICKLEBACK was
turned over to Commander Lawrence George Bernard, USN, the commanding officer.
The submarine had been paid for through the purchase of war bonds by the citizens
of Yakima County, Washington, and she was manned by the crew of the famed
SALMON, a fighting submarine whose gallant battle on the surface against four
Japanese frigates constitutes one of the most thrilling annals of submarine
warfare. After the routine trials and shakedown cruise, she reported to Com-
mander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, ready for duty against the Japanese.

The STICKLEBACK arrived in Guam on 2 August, and after a few more days
of training sailed for her patrol area in the Japan Sea. She was a member of
the second group of submarines to enter this "backyard sea". On 13 August she
ran under the minefields and began her search for action. However, by now the
atom bombs had already been dropped, and there were strong indications that the
war would soon be over. No worthwhile targets were encountered, and after only
two days of patrol the cease fire order ended the extremely brief fighting
career of the STICKLEBACK.

On 21 August she sighted two bamboo rafts, and a short time later took
aboard 19 survivors of the TAIMOKO MARU, a 5,000 ton freighter sunk ten days
previously by the JALLAO. After they were given food, water and medical treat-
ment, they were set afloat again only a short distance from one of the Japanese
Islands. The STICKLEBACK arrived in Guam on 9 September and departed the next
day for the United States via Pearl Harbor. On 28 September she steamed into
San Francisco Bay as a member of Admiral Halsey's THIRD Fleet parade. After
participating in the Navy Day celebration that year, she departed for Pearl
Harbor on 2 January 1946. As of July 1953 the STICKLEBACK is still active with
the U. S. Pacific Fleet.

The submarine earned the Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia, for the
period 2-3 September 1945.

— page 4 —
-2- USS STICKLEBACK (SS 415)

STATISTICS

OVERALL LENGTH                 312 feet
BEAM                           27 feet
SPEED                          20 knots
DISPLACEMENT                   1525 tons
COMPLEMENT                     8 officers and 72 men

                               Compiled: 4 January 1954

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SS415/A9

Serial (03)
[HANDWRITTEN: CONFIDENTIAL]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

9 September 1945.
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART OARS, OPNAVINST/5510.1C]
BY [HANDWRITTEN: D/119M] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 6/19/2X]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Commander Submarine Division THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE.
Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-SIX.
Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of War Patrol number One.

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

1. Enclosure (A), covering the first war patrol of this vessel
conducted in the Sea of Japan during the period from 6 August 1945 to 9
September 1945, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: H. L. NAUMAN]
H. L. NAUMAN.

[HANDWRITTEN: FILMED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 140254]

— page 6 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 7 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 9 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) Report of First War Patrol.

— page 10 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 11 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 12 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415).
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 13 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 15 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415).
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 16 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415).
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 17 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415):
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

0835 I - Sighted steamship leaving Fusan Harbor. Probably ferry.
She had two funnels, large superstructure, with a white cross
painted on her hull amidships and on her stacks. Identified as
the TOKUZYU MARU. (Ship Contact #4).
0920 I - Changed to standard speed on 4 engines.
1054 I - Passed Mori Samu abeam to port, distant 3 miles.
1130 I - Sighted gun position on the summit of Memuru Semu in grove
of trees. Two sentries and one female watcher us steam merrily
past. The smaller island in this group has a radio station and
lighthouse on it with several buildings built along the northern
slope.
1200 I - Passed Kuku To one mile abeam to port and set course 210°
T&PC.
1812 I - Received message directing TORSK and STICKLEBACK to
acknowledge when clear of Nishi Suido and to give Postran.
2030 I - Sent number seven to Comsubspac stating that JALLAC and
PIPER were in company, transit completed without event, and
giving Postran: Lat. 32°-34' N., Long. 127°-05' E.

4 Sep 0015 I - SV radar contacts, bearing 180°-(T), 15,500 yards, and
168° (T), 18,500 yards, respectively. Probably the TORSK and
PARGO. Ranges and bearings showed them to be on an approxi-
mately parallel course.
0320 I - Wind is from the southeast force 6. Seas have built up
sufficiently to slow us down to 13 knots with 4 engines on.
Slowed to 2 engine speed.
1115 I - Lat. 29°-50' N., Long. 126°-21' E. Sighted PBM on westerly
course. (Plane Contact #20).
Noon position: Lat. 29°-43' N., Long. 126°-16' E.
1244 I - Lat. 29°-36' N., Long. 125°-11' E. SV contact on plane,
bearing 205° (T), range 31,000 yards. (Plane Contact #21).
1505 I - Lat. 29°-25' N., Long. 125°-16' E. APR contacted 125
megacycle radar interference. Shortly thereafter SV contacted
a plane bearing 265° (T), range 27,000 yards.

5 Sep 1000 I - Changed to 3 engine speed. Seas are reasonably calm and
JALLAC, with 35,000 gallons of fuel on board, should make it to
Guam at this speed.
Noon position: Lat. 26°-51' N., Long. 124°-51' E.
1605 I - Lat. 25°-59' N., Long. 125°-01' E. Sighted PBM coming in
on course 300° (T). She circled us and departed on northerly
course. (Plane Contact #22).
1820 I - Lat. 25°-20' N., Long. 125°-32' E. SV contact on plane
bearing 335° (T), range 19,700 yards. Contact was lost, bearing
055° (T), range 60,000 yards.

- 12 -
[STAMP: ENCLOSURE (A)]

— page 18 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

2006 I - Received message from Comsubspaccond directing all
submarines to remove war shots from tubes or to remove detona-
tors and boosters from torpedoes in tubes and throw overboard.
Since we have a full load on board and no skids to pull
torpedoes out on, consider it unsafe to remove detonators and
boosters without submerging to insure a steady ship. Compro-
mised by bleeding down air flasks of Mk. XIV's and removing
ignitors; and by disconnecting battery leads in the electrics.
Impulse air is not built up.
2100 I - Left the East China Sea, entered the Pacific Ocean.
2320 I - Cleared number eight to Comsubspac giving ETA Underpass
at 0100 Zebra the sixth, speed 15.5, and requesting Guam rendez-
vous at 0100 Zebra the ninth.

6 Sep 1000 I - Entered Underpass. Set course 118° (T).
Noon position: Lat. 21°-15' N., Long. 126°-44' E.
Several friendly planes were contacted by radar and sight
during late morning and early afternoon.

7 Sep Noon position: Lat. 18°-15' N., Long. 132°-47' E.
Two planes were contacted by radar during the forenoon.
One, a liberator, was seen from the bridge.
1820 I - Received a message from the JALLAO that she has 21,000
gallons of fuel on board.
1830 I - Changed to four engine speed.

8 Sep Noon position: Lat. 14°-55' N., Long. 139°-10' E.
1420 I - Cleared message to Comsubspac requesting that time of
rendezvous be changed to 2030 Zebra, September eighth.
1556 I - Received message stating that U.S.S. CLOUTER would escort
us to Guam.
1738 I - Received message giving new rendezvous instructions,
changing the time as requested in our previous message.
2012 I - Cleared message to Comsubspac acknowledging new rendez-
vous instructions.
Several planes were contacted by SV and by sight during
the forenoon and the early part of the afternoon.

- 13 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 19 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

9 Sep 0647 K - In contact with U.S.S. TORSK.
0650 K - Contacted U.S.S. STEEL (Our escort) and the PARGO.
0700 K - Proceeding to Guam in company with STEEL (Escort),
PARGO, JALLAO, and PIPER.
1101 K - Moored port side to U.S.S. TORSK alongside U.S.S. SPERRY
in Apra Harbor, Guam.

(C) WEATHER

There were no unusual weather conditions noted. Those experienced
were as predicted in Cincpac-Cincpoa Bulletin No. 4-45 of 10 March 1945.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION

The currents experienced were all less than half a knot and
variable. We had no opportunity to observe currents close to the coast.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

There were no navigational aids sighted other than the light-
house structure on Ko To and the light on the small island of Memuru Samu
which is located on one corner of the radio station structure. The SV
radar proved most useful. Greater advantage might be taken of its tremen-
dous power if the PPI scope were equipped with a 160,000 yard scale. Loran
is a wonderful thing and is here to stay. We used it up to within about
200 miles of Nagasaki. The Sose sound gear is one of the finest pieces of
gear on the ship. It is the opinion of the Navigator that the ball record-
ing sextant requires much more skill than he has developed.

- 14 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

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CONFIDENTIAL
(F) SHIP CONTACTS.

No. | Time | Lat. | Long. | Type(s) | Initial | Est. Course | Est. Speed | Remarks
| Date | | | | | | |
1. | 0513 | 36-34N | 1 AK (Un) | 20,000 | Northerly | 9 knots | : Contacted:
| 14 Aug | 130-41E | 1 Escort | | | | | : Sighted:
| | | (Un) | | | | | : Headed: for Korean
| | | | | | | | : From: Coast.
| | | | | | | | : Bridge
| | | | | | | | : Submerged
| | | | | | | | : ships had
| | | | | | | | : disappeared.
| | | | | | | | : Probably fishing.
| | | | | | | | : Submerged and
| | | | | | | | : commenced approach.
| | | | | | | | : Discontinued after
| | | | | | | | : target was
| | | | | | | | : identified.
| | | | | | | | : No action taken.
2. | 1058 | 37-03N | Sailboat | 25,000 | Various | | | : Contacted:
| 14 Aug | 131-08E | | | | | | : Sighted:
| | | | | | | | : From:
| | | | | | | | : Bridge
| | | | | | | | : No action taken.
3. | 0630 | 37-03N | Sailboat | 15,000 | Northerly | | | : Contacted:
| 29 Aug | 130-34E | | | 6 knots | | | : Sighted:
| | | | | | | | : From:
| | | | | | | | : Bridge
| | | | | | | | : Making ferry trip
| | | | | | | | : across Tsushima
| | | | | | | | : Strait. White
| | | | | | | | : crosses on hull
| | | | | | | | : amidships and on
| | | | | | | | : funnel.
| | | | | | | | : No action taken.
4. | 0835 | 35-03N | Tokuzyu | 20,000 | Easterly | | | : Contacted:
| 3 Sep | 129-06E | Maru | | Not | | | : Sighted:
| | | | | tracked. | | | : From:
| | | | | | | | : Bridge
| | | | | | | | : No action taken.

- 15 -

ENCLOSURE (A)

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

— page 21 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 22 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol

— page 23 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

fore SCR-624-A transmitter is still faulty.

(M) RADAR

The general performance of the SV, SJ, and ST radars was good.
The SV is an excellent piece of gear, average maximum ranges on submarines
was 18,000 yards. Equipment failures were as follows:

SJ - ST
1. Jerky range step - replaced defective 6AC7 in range unit.
2. No echoes on ST - retuned L.O. and wave guide, replaced
three 6AK5's in K.F. preamplifier.
3. High voltage fuses blown - defective 836 tube.
4. AFC faulty - replaced two 6AC7's in AFC unit.
5. No echoes on SJ - defective receiver tuning control P9.
6. Arcing in coaxial lines, flicker on indicator, loss of
echoes - loose coax at magnetron.
7. No echoes - replaced three 6AC7's in IF amplifier.
8. Fuse to regulated rectifier blown - shorted condenser C-3
in "A" rectifier.
9. No range step - shorted coax plug on PPI.
10. AFC inoperative - adjusted resistor R14.
11. Broken condenser in video stage in range indicator - replaced.
12. Sensitivity low - replaced 721-A TR tube and retuned TR
cavity and crystal converter.
13. Sensitivity low - replaced 706AY, retuned transmitter wave
guides.
14. No signals in phones when receiving radar interference -
shifted connection to plate of V6 and changed condenser to
1 mfd.
15. Noise on indicator - two defective 6AK5's in selector unit
IF amplifier.
16. Noisy blower motor in ST - replaced squirrel cage rotor
section.

SV
1. No transmitter pulse, fuse F3 blown - short in H.V. trans-
former T-1. (It was later decided that dirt pulled into the
transmitter by the blowers caused a high resistance short).
2. Sweep flashing and jumping, 5D21 tubes arcing over - replaced
four 5D21's and cleaned modulator chassis.
3. Range step jerky - defective 6SN7 tube V504 in range unit.
4. AFC inoperative - adjusted AFC adjust and receiver tuning.
5. Faint indicator out - replaced 6SN7 tube V3.
6. No trace on PPI - fuse F6 blown.
7. PPI trace not following antenna reflector or counter clock-
wise - broken cable.

- 18 -

— page 24 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 26 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEPACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

(e) Number of unqualified men making first patrol . . . 27.
(f) Crew member from U.S.S. SALMON 58.

The performance of officers and men couldn't be shown in the
stress of battle - there was no battle; but the interest shown in watch-
standing and school of the boat in which all hands participated was a
fine example of what won his war. The training of the new men taken on
in Pearl Harbor was the best we've seen yet.

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED.
| | MILES | FUEL
| Pearl to Guam | 3,896 | 50,200
| Guam to Area | 1,728 | 22,800
| In Area | 2,875 | 23,000
| Area to Guam | 2,020 | 32,000

(S) DURATION
Days enroute Guam to Area 7
Days in area

— page 28 —
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)
% Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol.

:         :         :Pulse Type
:         :         :Width:of
Date      :Time:Freq:PRF  : us  :Sweep: Remarks       :Lat.       :Long.      :Sketch
:
8/21/45   :1525:100 :650  : 25  : 1/5 :               :38-28N     :132-05E    :⏌
:         :    :    :     :     : rpm :               :           :           :
8/21/45   :1530:100 :300  : 40  : 2/3 : Strong        :38-26N     :132-03E    :
:         :    :    :     :     : rpm :               :           :           :
8/21/45   :1600:38  :50   : 30  :     : Very strong   :38-20N     :131-58E    :⏌
:
8/22/45   :2340:59  :125  :     :     :               :37-03N     :131-50E    :
8/25/45   :1850:126 :750  : 5   :     : Very weak     :39-16N     :131-27E    :⏌
:
8/27/45   :1900:126 :800  : 5   :     : Very weak     :36-48N     :131-05E    :"
:
8/29/45   :1435:177 :400  : 8   :     : Weak          :37-03N     :130-48E    :
9/1/45    :0225:1250:300  : 3   :     : US air search :37-52N     :132-47E    :⏌
:
9/4/45    :1510:175 :250  : 10  :     : Jap air borne :29-15N     :124-56E    :⏌

2. No jamming was used or experienced.
3. Radar was used intermittently using irregular keying about every
   5 minutes. APR scans were made between radar sweeps. SV was
   generally used for both surface and air search.
4. None.

(V) REMARKS
   We are sorry we didn't get started in time to do some damage
   to the enemy, but are none the less happy that the war is over.

- 23 -
[UNCLEAR: oooou (V)]

— page 29 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE

FB5-361/A16-3
Serial: (013)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS STICKLEBACK - Report
of War Patrol No. 1, Ser. 03
dated 9 September 1945.

From: The Commander Submarine Division THREE HUNDRED
 SIXTY-ONE.
To : The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-SIX.
 (2) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET,
 ADMINISTRATION.
 (3) The Commander in Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of War Patrol
 Number One.

1. The first war patrol of the U.S.S. STICKLEBACK
(6 August 1945 to 9 September 1945) was conducted in the Sea
of Japan. Twenty-one (21) days were spent in the area with
only one (1) day in the area prior to cessation of hostilities.

2. Three enemy ship contacts were made prior to
15 August 1945. On 14 August one small AK and escort were
sighted but not attacked due to patrol instructions concerning
that area. Later on that same day a small sailboat was sighted.

3. On 21 August 1945 the U.S.S. STICKLEBACK rescued
nineteen men and two women survivors from the TIMOR MARU which
had been sunk by the U.S.S. JALLAO. About seven hours later one
survivor committed suicide by jumping overboard. About fifteen
hours later the survivors were reembarked on rafts and left four
miles from the beach.

4. On 17 August 1945, two days after ending of
hostilities, the U.S.S. STICKLEBACK had a torpedo fired at her
which was evidenced by a definite trace on the TDM the men in
the forward torpedo room saying they heard torpedo screws
passing by.

5. The U.S.S. STICKLEBACK returned from patrol
clean and shipshape. She will be given normal voyage repairs
in which all major defects will be corrected. The air con-
ditioning forward on the U.S.S. STICKLEBACK should be improved
as it is very hot in tropical weather in the forward compart-
ments.

- 1 -
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
9 September 1945.

— page 31 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON THIRTY-SIX

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
10 September 1945.

FC5-36/A16-3

Serial: 072
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. STICKLEBACK (SS415)-
Report of War Patrol Number
ONE.

From: Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-SIX.
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. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of War Patrol
Number ONE.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the Division
Commander.

2. The Commanding Officer, officers and crew are con-
gratulated upon the completion of their first war patrol and for
the rescue of twenty-one survivors from the TIMOKO MARU.

[SIGNATURE: J. L. Hull]
JESSE L. HULL

— page 32 —
CONFIDENTIAL

FF12-10/A16-3

Serial 0312

CONFIDENTIAL

SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
[STAMP: RECEIVED S-G FILES]
[HANDWRITTEN: 230 Room 2055]
[HANDWRITTEN: FILE IN: 7 OCT 1945]

[HANDWRITTEN: J. F. File No. (A16-3/23) SS 415]
[HANDWRITTEN: NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE]
[HANDWRITTEN: DESTROYED PRIOR TO]
[HANDWRITTEN: ENTERING PATROL AREA.]
[HANDWRITTEN: Copy No. 187943]
[HANDWRITTEN: Copy No. 2 of 5]

THIRD INDORSEMENT to
STICKLEBACK Report of
FIRST WAR PATROL.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 912
U. S. S. STICKLEBACK - 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. STICKLEBACK (SS415) - Report of First War Patrol
(21 July to 9 September 1945).

1. The first war patrol of the STICKLEBACK, under the command
of Commander H. K. Nauman, U. S. Navy, was conducted in the Sea of Japan.

2. The STICKLEBACK transitted Tsushima Straits on 13 August
and entered the Sea of Japan that night. Two enemy mine fields were found
in the Strait and avoided. Information received from surrendered Japanese
charts confirmed the location of these fields. The termination of hos-
tilities on 15 August deprived the STICKLEBACK of the opportunity to attack
enemy shipping. No suitable targets were met enroute to patrol station.
Patrol was maintained in the Sea of Japan until 3 September.

3. Award of the Submarine Combat Insignia is authorized for
this patrol.

4. The Commanding Officer, officers and crew are to be congratulated
for completion of this patrol. Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet,
sincerely regrets that circumstances did not permit the opportunity for
this veteran crew, composed almost entirely of SALMON personnel, to wreak
vengeance on the enemy.

C. A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch (7)
CNO (5)
Cincpac (6) [HANDWRITTEN: 38]
JICPOA (1)
JICFOA (1)
Comservpac (1)
Cinclant (1)
Comsublant (8)
S/M School, NL (2)
CO, S/M Base, PH (1)
Comsopac (2)
Comsowespac (1)

Hr
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
19 September 1945

[STAMP: Office of the Chief of Naval Operations]
[STAMP: FLEET MAIN]
[STAMP: 8 OCT 1945]
[STAMP: RECEIVED]
[STAMP: NAVY DEPARTMENT]

Comsubssopac [HANDWRITTEN: (2)]
Comnorpac [HANDWRITTEN: (3)]
Comsubspac [HANDWRITTEN: (20)]
Comsubspac.Comd [HANDWRITTEN: (2)]
SUB.D, NI [HANDWRITTEN: (2)]
All Squadron and Div.
Commanders, Pacific [HANDWRITTEN: (5)]
ComSubOpTraGrBalboa(in mail) [HANDWRITTEN: (2)]
Substrainpac [HANDWRITTEN: (1)]
All Submarines, Pacific
[SIGNATURE: E. J. Ulm]
E. J. ULM, Assistant Flag Secretary.

— page 33 —
END OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: H-108]

1.0
1.1
1.25 1.4 1.6

4.5 2.8 2.5
5.0 3.2 2.2
5.6 3.6 2.0
6.3 4.0 1.8
7.1

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[SEAL: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION