Pacific ships
USS Tang (SS-306)

USN · SS

Sunk

Balao-class submarine, SS-306, the first ship of the name. Mare Island Navy Yard. Laid down 15 January 1943, launched 17 August 1943, commissioned 15 October 1943. Lieutenant Commander Richard H. O'Kane had her from commissioning. On the night of 24 October 1944, off Formosa, her last torpedo circled and sank her. Nine survivors, including O'Kane, spent the rest of the war as prisoners. Struck on 8 February 1945. Four battle stars and two Presidential Unit Citations. O'Kane's Medal of Honor is for this boat.

TypeSubmarine (SS)
HullSS-306
BuilderMare Island Navy Yard
Launched1943-08-17
Commissioned1943-10-15
FateSunk. On the night of 24 October 1944, off Formosa, by her own last torpedo. It circled and hit abreast the after torpedo room about twenty seconds after it was fired. She sank by the stern. Nine men, including her captain, were picked up the next morning and were prisoners for the rest of the war. Struck on 8 February 1945.
Command
  • O'Kane, Richard H. (Medal of Honor) Captain from commissioning, 15 October 1943; In command when her own torpedo sank her on the night of 24 October 1944; One of the nine survivors. A prisoner for the rest of the war

Laid down, displacement, length, beam, draft, speed, and complement are not stored for each hull, so this table leaves them out.

USS Tang (SS-306) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 2 December 1943. U.S. Navy photograph NH 42273. Public domain.

The pictures on this page are the originals.

Command

Operation Hailstone, the raid on Truk

1944-02-17 · on submarine patrol around Truk (NavWeaps). Not sunk

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