War Beneath the Waves (27 page)

The Otori or Chidori torpedo boat encountered on 11 November in Macassar Strait was remarkably effective both in original detection and in staying right on top of us for four hours.

Apparently he was aware of our presence in the vicinity, probably having been informed by aircraft, “spotters” on small sailing vessels, or by the first torpedo boat which we thought we had evaded without being detected. It is believed that he sighted our periscope at a range of approximately 3600 yards even though it was being used with extreme care because of the calm sea.

All attacks were very deliberate, unhurried, and well executed. He did not waste a charge. He sat for long periods almost directly over us, so that his auxiliaries could be plainly heard on the JP Sound Equipment, alternately listening and pinging, just kicking ahead occasionally to stay with us. All evasive maneuvers at silent speed were futile.

When entirely satisfied of our position he would start in for a run, but several times he apparently lost echo-ranging contact earlier than he expected because of our deep submergence (564-480 feet) and would stop and start the procedure all over again. This was especially aggravating as we had by this time become very heavy, requiring a 15° up angle to maintain depth, and were waiting for the next charges so that we could blow water from safety.

On each of the three dropping runs his screws were plainly heard through the hull 15-20 seconds before the charges.

The effectiveness of the attack seemed to be reduced rather than enhanced by the arrival of the second A/S vessel and contact was finally broken by doubling back through the disturbance caused by 8 charges dropped in a coordinated attack.

Major Defects:—None.

Damage—The only important damage from the depth charge attack on 11 November was the chipping and specking of the upper prism of number two periscope which made this periscope almost useless for the remainder of the patrol.

Health: The health of the crew was excellent. There were five admissions to the sick list with diagnosis and number of sick days as follows:

Food: The food was exceptionally well prepared and this compensated to a large degree for the absence of the fresh frozen and special foods which were available on the first patrol, having been obtained in the United States, but which were not available in Fremantle.

Habitability: Excellent.

No opportunity was had to conclusively test the effectiveness of the joint patrol due to lack of contacts in the open sea where full advantage of the surface chase could be taken. On the occasion of the one contact when the two submarines were in contact BOWFIN completed a highly successful attack and expended the last of her torpedoes, but after one attack we were forced to submerge before obtaining satisfactory position for further attacks by the coming of daylight and the proximity of the shore and anti-submarine craft and aircraft.

The MN voice radio equipment was highly satisfactory for exchanging information on this contact. However plain language was used and it is doubtful whether this procedure could be used as freely, after the enemy discovers this equipment is being used, as it was on this occasion.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20305-1000
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
TAKES PLEASURE IN PRESENTING THE
NAVY CROSS

 

TO
CAPTAIN CHARLES W. RUSH, JR.
UNITED STATES NAVY
FOR SERVICE SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING
CITATION:

 

 

 

 

For extraordinary heroism while serving as Chief Engineer and Diving Officer on Board USS BILLFISH (SS 286) during a combat war patrol in the enemy controlled waters of Makassar Strait on 11 November 1943. When an extremely severe depth charge attack incapacitated the Captain and all officers senior to Captain Rush (then Lieutenant Rush), with cool courage and outstanding professionalism he directed the damage control efforts directly responsible for saving the ship. The sustained accurate attacks caused major leaking through the stern tubes and various hull fittings and, it was later discovered, actually ruptured the pressure hull aft. Calling on his prior extensive combat experience, Captain Rush was able to maintain the submarine at 580 feet, almost 170 feet below her test depth, and prevent her sinking further to crush depth. During 12 straight exhaustive hours at his Diving Officer post, his calm demeanor, innovative damage control actions, and demonstrated courage in the face of perceived certain disaster served as the major inspiration to the crew to keep them functioning after most had given up all hope of survival. After finally being relieved by another officer, Captain Rush proceeded to the conning tower to assess the situation. He found the helm unmanned, the Captain and all senior officers still incapacitated, and no effective action being taken to counter the relentless depth charge attacks. Captain Rush, in a display of enlightened leadership, immediately assumed the conn, obtained a helmsman, and proceeded to direct evasive actions to elude the enemy above. Hearing the continuing explosions astern and reasoning that explosions close to the fuel ballast tanks had caused oil leaks that enabled the enemy ships to track the submarine’s path, he then performed an innovative maneuver which resulted in the submarine retracing its own path in the opposite direction to pass under the old oil slicks. This so confused the enemy that they lost contact with the BILLFISH and Captain Rush was able to bring her to the surface after dark some four hours later, safely distant from the enemy now searching astern in a vain attempt to regain contact. He commenced recharging the depleted batteries with the single operable engine-generator and as more machinery was repaired he enhanced the propulsion capability and effected a successful escape from the scene. Captain Rush’s inspiring and exceptional performance of duty under the worst imaginable conditions and in the face of seemingly certain death were directly responsible for saving BILLFISH and all hands from loss and for restoring the shattered confidence of the crew. By his courageous actions, superb leadership, and loyal dedication to duty, Captain Rush reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

 

For the President,
Gordon R. England
Secretary of the Navy

POSTHUMOUS SILVER STAR MEDAL
CITATION FOR
CHIEF ELECTRICIAN’S MATE
JOHN D. RENDERNICK, USN

 

 

 

For conspicuous gallantry in action while serving on board USS
Billfish
(SS-286) during a combat war patrol in the enemy controlled waters of Makassar Strait on 11 November 1943. When a highly accurate enemy depth charge attack initially caused damage to the submarine’s internal piping and hull fittings, subsequent semi-continuous severe attacks wrought major damage to all systems and vital equipment and put into question the submarine’s survivability, Chief Petty Officer Rendernick immediately sprang into action from his battle station at the electrical control cubicle aft and commenced leading emergency repair efforts to reduce the heavy flooding through the stern tubes and to restore operability to such damaged equipment as possible. The severity of the situation was obvious to the crew, most of whom after eleven hours under constant attack gave up all hope of survival. Chief Petty Officer Rendernick displayed the highest degree of professionalism and leadership as he directed innovative damage control measures aft, including pumping grease into the worst leaking stern tube and utilizing six men and a hydraulic jack to reposition the port main motor, which had been knocked off its foundation by the shock of some extremely close depth charges, which had sheared its hold-down bolts. When the increasing pressure and heat reached the limit of the men’s tolerance, Chief Petty Officer Rendernick had them wrap wet towels around their heads and take turns going into the more livable adjacent compartment for a rest. By his cool and courageous actions, exceptional initiative, and loyal dedication to duty, Chief Petty Officer Rendernick reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

 

 

THE DIRECTOR, SUBMARINE WARFARE DIVISION TAKES PLEASURE
IN COMMENDING
CHIEF ENGINEMAN (SUBMARINE SERVICE)
CHARLEY T. ODOM
UNITED STATES NAVY
FOR SERVICES AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING
CITATION:

 

 

 

 

For extraordinary service while serving as Chief Engineman on Board USS Billfish (SS 286) during a combat war patrol in the enemy controlled waters of Makassar Strait on 11 November 1943. When an extremely severe depth charge attack caused the stern tubes to spout water into the main motors, Chief Odom, standing in foot-deep water and wielding a large open-end wrench, tightened the nuts on the packing glands. As the submarine proceeded deep to evade the attack, Chief Odom was forced to loosen the nuts to stop them from smoking. For the next twelve hours, Chief Odom continued to tend the stern tubes while making frequent trips into the engine room to repair other leaks until the ship could safely surface. Upon surfacing, three of the four main engines were flooded and would not start. Chief Odom, exhibiting detailed knowledge of the complicated procedure, one-by-one rapidly restarted the engines so that propulsion and battery charging could be accomplished before daybreak. Chief Odom’s courageous actions and loyal dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.