Since the purchase and commissioning of the USS Holland in 1900, there have always been submarines in the United States Navy. Having submarines means having submarine sailors. These men have always been volunteers and have placed their very lives in the hands of their shipmates.
The ocean is a hazardous place. Submarines have added to the hazard by sailing in the ocean's depths. In wartime, the hazard is magnified because not only is the ocean trying to do you harm, but an enemy is trying to kill you. Yet, in the face of these dangers, the United States Submarine Force has carried out the tasks required of it, regardless of the cost.
One measure of the cost is men's lives. We have lost just over four thousand men who were on duty in the defense of our freedom when their young lives were snuffed out. The vast majority were lost during the awful days of World War II when the Force took the war to the doorstep of the enemy and forged the core of our Tradition.
In addition, we as a Force have lost many shipmates as a result of enemy action, accident or as it has been called “the hazards of the sea”. These men are listed separately from the boat losses here.
Pages updated on 9-20-09 with the following changes
Added to USS Dorado and individual listing EM1 Thomas A. Williams
Added to Single incident losses and individual listing Ens. William H Wilson, lost overboard from USS Redfin (SS-272)
Changed spelling of man on USS Bullhead (SS-332) to Oscar V. Mannas vice Nassas
Added Lt. William A. Huston lost overboard from USS Piper (SS-409)
Added Keon Askew of USS San Francisco (SSN-711)
Added S1 Joseph G. Snow of USS Torsk (SS-423)
Pages
updated on 10-14-2009 with the following changes
Changed
spelling and initials for the following:
Webb, James, LCDR
Delamain, William H. SN
Giles, Harvey W. MM1
Kosman, Joseph, SN
Changed Rate for Chief of the
Boat of USS Scorpion (SSN-589)
TMC Walter W Bishop
vice TM? Walter W Bishop
Research is still ongoing to make sure the listing is complete and correct.
Click on a letter below to go to that portion of the listing.