menu-header-menu

Follow Us

Follow us   

The United States Navy Memorial

Navy Memorial Honoring the Men & Women of the Sea Services

Donate

Seawolf

Ship Designation: 
SS-197
Date Lost: 
Tuesday, October 3, 1944
Sinking near Manus
There were several incidences in World War II of possible submarine losses due to ASW action by own forces. However, the evidence is not compelling in most of these cases, with other causes being equally probable. In Seawolf's case, there seems to be no doubt. On 3 October 1944, while on her fifteenth patrol in the vicinity of Manus, she exchanged recognition signals using SJ radar with Narwhal, (SS-167). Later that day, IJN submarine RO-41 attacked and sank USS Shelton, (DE-407) in the same area. RO-41 successfully evaded the resulting counterattack and returned to Japan. Meanwhile two aircraft from Midway, (CVE-63) spotted a submerging submarine in the vicinity of Shelton's loss and attacked with bombs, later marking the spot with green dye. Richard M. Rowell, (DE-403), proceeded to the marked area, made sonar contact and attacked with hedge hogs. The second attack resulted in an underwater explosion, debris and air bubbles. Since there were four US submarines known to be in the area, they were directed to give their positions on 3 October. All but Seawolf responded. A second request on the following day was unsuccessful. Since Japanese records do not mention any ASW action in this area on that date, it is almost certain that ROWELL's attack resulted in Seawolf's loss.

Lost At Sea Log

Number of sailors in this log: 83

Namesort ascending Service Branch
EM 2c Edward Zuel USN
EM 3c Robert Young USN
Sea 1c David Wyatt USN
CMOMM Michael Wiegenstein USN
TM 2c Thomas Warren USN
MOMM 1c Vernon Wall USN
Ens John Vanandel USN
MOMM 2c William Underhill USN
Lt(jg) Edward Szendrey USN
F 1c Clarence Strausser USN
F 1c Gerald Steinecker USN
MOMM 1c James Saint USN
TM 2c John Sadler USN
CCk Tomas Rosete USN
CRT Benjamin Rogers USN
Std 2c Saturnino Rocaya USN
TM 2c Mahlon Riggle USN
MOMM 1c Guy Rhoads USN
Ens William Reiland USN
EM 3c Wasil Politylo USN

Pages

Prepared by: J.P. O'Hara, CDR, USN (Ret.)