USS Perch (SS-176)
On the evening of l March l942, PERCH surfaced thirty
miles northwest of Soerabaja, Java, N.E.I., and started in for an attack on the
enemy convoy that was landing troops to the west of Soerabaja. Two enemy destroyers attacked and drove her
down with a string of depth charges which caused her to bottom at 135 feet. Several more depth charge attacks caused
extensive damage, putting the starboard motors out of commission and causing
extensive flooding throughout the boat.
After repairs, PERCH surfaced at two o'clock in the morning only to be
again driven down by the enemy destroyers.
The loss of oil, and air from damaged ballast tanks, convinced the enemy
that PERCH was breaking up and they went on to look for other kills, allowing
PERCH to surface. With the submarine's
decks awash and only one engine in commission, the crew made all possible
repairs. During the early morning of 3
March, a test dive was made with almost fatal results. Expert handling and good luck enabled her to
surface from that dive; only to be attacked by two enemy cruisers and three
destroyers. When the enemy shells
commenced to straddle, the commanding officer ordered all hands on deck, and
with all possible hull openings open, PERCH made her last dive. She was struck from the Navy List 24 June
1942. The entire crew was captured
by a Japanese destroyer. Of the
fifty-four men and five officers, only six, who died of malnutrition in
Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, were unable to return to their country to enjoy
the victory for which they had fought so valiantly.