USS Lagarto (SS-371)
Posted on 08/12/2005 11:31:24 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Still on patrol. Thoughts and prayers for them and their families.
USS Lagarto (SS-371)
Damn wet monitor.
Just one of many sub crews still on patrol
I'll second that.
Keel laid down by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, WI 12 January 1944;
Launched 28 May 1944; Sponsored by Mrs. Paul H. Douglas; Commissioned 14 October 1944; Cdr. Frank D. Latta in command.
LAGARTO contacted USS BAYA (SS-318), already patrolling in Siam Gulf on 2 May 1945, and exchanged calls with her by SJ radar. Later that day BAYA sent LAGARTO a contact report on a convoy she had contacted consisting of one tanker, one auxiliary and two destroyers. LAGARTO soon reported being in contact with the convoy, and began coming in for an attack with BAYA. However, the enemy escorts were equipped with 10 cm radar, and detected BAYA and drove her off with gunfire, whereupon the two submarines decided to wait and plan a subsequent attack.
Early on the morning of 3 May 1945, LARGARTO and BAYA made a rendezvous at about 7!-55'N;102!-18'E and discussed plans. LAGARTO was to dive on the convoy's tack to make a contact at 1400, while BAYA was to be ten to fifteen miles further along the trank. During the day, numerous contact reports were exchanged. At 0010 on 4 May after a prolonged but unsuccessful attack, BAYA was finally driven off by the alert escorts, and no further contact of any kind was ever made with LAGARTO.
Japanese information available now records an attack on a U.S. submarine made by the minelayer HATSUTAKA, believed to be one of the two radar-equipped escorts of the convoy attacked. The attack was made at 7!-55'N;102!E in about 30 fathoms of water, and in view of the information presented above, the attack here described must be presumed to be the one which sank LARGARTO.
This vessel's first patrol was in the Nansei Shoto chain as part of an antipicket boat sweep made by submarines to aid Admiral Halsey's Task Force 38 in getting carrier planes to Japan undetected. She sank the Japanese submarine I-371 on 24 February 1945, and participated in several surface gun attacks with USS HADDOCK II (SS-231) and USS SENNET (SS-408). Two small vessels were sunk and two more damaged in these attacks, and LARGARTO shared credit for the results with these submarines. Cdr. Latta had previously made seven patrols as Commanding Officer of USS NARWHAL II (SS-167). Every patol made by this officer was designated successful for the award of combat insignia, a record surpassed by no commanding officer in the Submarine Force.
FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence, to take out of this world the soul of our deceased brothers, we therefore commit their boies.. looking for the general Resurrection in the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose second coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.
I'd stand this Macleod character many beers simply to find out his story. From this article, it looks like he and his team rock.
Thanks for posting this article. My Dad was in the Navy in WWII. He served on an LSM (landing ship medium)in the Pacific. He passed away in 1996 and was always so proud of his service to his country. He always said that his country didn't owe him anything...that he owed his country everything! Miss and love you Dad!! He gave me my love for the USA and our great military.
I am glad that these families finally have some closure after all those years. The greatest generation is leaving us. It's so sad!!
What a touching story, and beautiful in a very sad way. May God bless them.
PING for the discovery of SS 371, USS Lagarto
Honaker, W. F. EM3
I am 74 and I have said more than one time that people my age have enjoyed the best this country had to offer. I guess its all relative, you go with what you have available.
I remember visiting my Dad in the hospital in his last months and a baseball game came on TV, when they played the National Anthem, as bad as my Dad felt, he got out of bed and just stood there until it was done. Of course I stood up with him. Its funny, it almost appeared like he was getting up for another reason but when I got up, he smiled.
Thanks
I am 74 and I have said more than one time that people my age have enjoyed the best this country had to offer. Its all relative, you go with what you have available.
I remember visiting my Dad in the hospital in his last months and a baseball game came on TV, when they played the National Anthem, as bad as my Dad felt, he got out of bed and just stood there until it was done. Of course I stood up with him. Its funny, it almost appeared like he was getting up for another reason but when I got up, he smiled.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.