The Submarine that was Bent 18-Feet to the Left

During a cold night in January 1943, USS Growler, a Gator-class submarine, prowled the Pacific in search of prey under the command of Commander Howard W. Gilmore. The submarine had already earned a fearsome reputation for sinking several Imperial Japanese Navy ships while surviving several hunts, but this mission was different. Growler was deep in enemy territory. Stealth was the only option. Under Gilmore, Growler and the crew were on an uninterrupted streak, and the Japanese were looking to strike the submarine down, whatever the cost. As Growler crept through the darkness, a Japanese ship loomed ahead, and the seasoned submariners prepared for a swift attack, awaiting Gilmore’s orders. But chaos broke loose almost instantly. The Japanese ship spotted Growler and reversed course to attack it without hesitation. Always calm and resilient, Gilmore made a split-second decision. It was too late for evasive maneuvers. Standing on the bridge with other officers, Gilmore sounded the collision alarm and ordered his men to brace for impact. Under his orders and the widening eyes of his officers, the submarine surged forward at 17 knots, ramming the enemy vessel with all her might. The impact was catastrophic, throwing the crew off their feet and damaging both vessels. But there was no other way out. Gilmore knew it was that or facing the depth charges in a fight he could not win. As the men on the bridge tried to get up and scrambled into the submarine, gunfire abruptly erupted from the Japanese vessel. Sailors and officers went down like sitting ducks. Even in the chaos, Gilmore's resolve never wavered. He knew the enemy was preparing the depth charges. He was heavily wounded and still on the bridge, yet he issued one last command to save his sailors and his ship: (QUOTE) Take her down!

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