The USS Swordfish: The World War Ⅱ Patrols of the First American Submarine to Sink a Japanese Ship

摘要

There is no shortage of histories of individual U.S. Navy submarines in World War Ⅱ. Books have been published about the Archerfish, Batfish, Bowfin, Flier, Harder, Rasher, Seahorse, Seawolf, Squalus/ Sailfish, Tang, and Wahoo-and that is not all. In writing yet another World War Ⅱ submarine history, George Billy had his work cut out for him, particularly since he started his research at a point when most of the USS Swordfish (SS-193) veterans, including all of her commanding officers, had died. Despite this challenge, Billy's research is impeccable. He accessed archival material I was unaware of, found every available oral history and interview, visited numerous archives around the country, and interviewed remaining veterans and family members. The USS Swordfish is superbly researched history.The Swordfish is a worthy subject for a book-length study. As the subtitle states, she served from the very beginning of the war, achieving the first U.S. submarine kill of the war. Although the Swordfish is best remembered for her service under her first commanding officer, Rear Admiral Chester Smith, Billy points out that she also provided a first experience in command to "Acey" Burrows, who went on to success in command of the USS Whale (SS-239); helped rehabilitate the warfighting reputation of Jack Lewis, who is mostly known for running the USS Trigger (SS-237) aground; and allowed Karl Hensel, a former prospective commanding officer instructor, to test his teachings in combat. The Swordfish served almost until the end of the war. Regrettably, the submarine and her entire crew, including Billy's uncle, who inspired him to write the book, were lost in early 1945.