How This WWII Submarine Crew Pulled Off a Crazy Escape From the Deep
Serving on a submarine during World War II was one of the most dangerous jobs in the military. Submarines traveled deep underwater, and many never returned from their missions.
One of the most unforgettable submarine stories is about the USS Tang, an American submarine that faced a terrible disaster in 1944. Out of 87 crew members, only nine survived after the submarine sank near China on October 25, 1944.
The survivors had to escape from the damaged submarine and later spent months as prisoners of war in Japanese camps. Their journey was filled with danger, courage, and incredible determination.
The Tang was the most successful U.S. submarine ever
Before its final mission, the USS Tang was one of the most successful submarines in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
The submarine began its first war patrol in January 1944 and quickly became known for its successful missions. The crew showed great skill and bravery while operating in difficult conditions underwater.
The USS Tang also carried out important rescue missions. During one patrol, the crew saved 22 Allied pilots who had been shot down. This became one of the submarine’s most famous achievements.
During its final patrol, the Tang had already completed a highly successful mission. In its last day of action, it destroyed several enemy ships before disaster suddenly struck.
Then it went wrong
The USS Tang was not destroyed by an enemy attack. Instead, it was hit by one of its own torpedoes.
During the final mission, the crew launched a torpedo toward an enemy target. However, the weapon failed to work properly and changed direction, returning toward the submarine.
The crew tried to avoid the torpedo, but there was not enough time. The weapon struck the submarine, causing severe damage and sending it down into the ocean.
The explosion trapped many crew members inside the damaged submarine. Several sections quickly filled with water, and the remaining survivors faced a dangerous fight to stay alive.
The impact of the sub’s own torpedo was catastrophic
After the USS Tang sank during World War II, the surviving crew members faced an extremely difficult situation. Some men escaped from the damaged submarine, but their journey to safety was far from over.
One crew member, William Leibold, managed to reach the ocean surface after the submarine went down. However, Japanese ships were nearby and dropping depth charges, creating more danger for the men still trapped inside the submarine.
Inside the USS Tang, the conditions became worse every minute. The air was becoming unsafe, the lights were fading, and water continued to enter the submarine. The trapped sailors had to wait until the attacks above the water stopped before they could attempt an escape.
During this time, the crew destroyed important Navy documents and equipment to protect military information. They knew their chances of survival were uncertain.
The crew’s desperate escape attempt was delayed
The trapped sailors used a device called the Momsen lung to help them escape. This early underwater breathing device gave submariners a way to reach the surface from a damaged submarine.
The escape was extremely dangerous. The men had to rise slowly to avoid serious injuries caused by pressure changes underwater.
Only some of the trapped crew members were strong enough to attempt the escape. Many were already injured or too weak to survive the journey.
A few sailors successfully reached the surface by using the breathing device, while others escaped by finding air pockets inside the submarine and swimming upward.
Their escape was an incredible achievement and one of the rare successful submarine escape stories from World War II.
The only known successful use of a Momsen lung
The USS Tang disaster was a heartbreaking event. Out of 87 crew members, 78 lost their lives.
Some sailors died immediately after the explosion, while others were lost because of flooding, injuries, or the difficult escape conditions.
One of the youngest sailors who died was Rubin MacNiel Raiford, who was only 15 years old.
The survivors spent hours in the ocean, waiting for rescue while facing extreme danger. Eventually, only nine crew members remained alive.
The survivors included:
- Commander Richard H. O’Kane
- Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Savadkin
- Lieutenant Junior Grade Henry J. Flanagan
- Radio Technician Floyd Caverly
- William Leibold
- Jesse DaSilva
- Clayton Decker
- Hayes Trukke
- Pete Narowanski
Their survival became one of the most remarkable stories in U.S. Navy history.
A total of 78 crew members died
Among the crew members was Howard Madison Walker, a young Black sailor who survived the initial submarine disaster.
During World War II, Black sailors often faced unfair treatment in the military. Many were limited to certain roles and did not receive the same recognition as other service members.
Walker served on the USS Tang despite these challenges. After the submarine sank, he attempted to escape but did not survive the journey to the surface.
His story is remembered today as an example of courage and sacrifice during a difficult period in American history.
A Black submariner who initially survived did not receive recognition
After reaching the surface, the nine surviving USS Tang crew members were rescued by a Japanese ship.
Instead of returning home, they were taken as prisoners of war. They spent about 10 months in Japanese POW camps before the end of World War II.
The men faced harsh conditions, including hunger and difficult treatment. Despite everything they experienced, all nine survivors lived until they were finally freed.
The story of the USS Tang remains one of the most powerful World War II submarine stories. It shows the bravery, teamwork, and determination of sailors who faced unimaginable challenges beneath the ocean.
Nine survivors were captured by the Japanese
When the USS Tang sank, the tragedy affected not only the sailors but also their families. For months, many families did not know what had happened to their loved ones.
The U.S. Navy kept details about the sinking private while the investigation continued. The full story of the disaster was not shared right away, leaving many families waiting and hoping for news.
Even after the war ended, some details about the USS Tang remained unclear. Many people only learned more about the accident years later when more information became available.
For some families, finding out the truth decades later helped explain what happened to their loved ones during that final mission.
Families of the crew could not tell anyone what happened for months
Commander Richard O’Kane was the captain of the USS Tang and one of the nine survivors. He was known as one of the most successful submarine commanders of World War II.
Because of his leadership and actions during the Tang’s final mission, O’Kane received the Medal of Honor, one of the highest military awards in the United States.
Later, he shared the story of the USS Tang in his book, Clear the Bridge!: The War Patrols of the USS Tang. The book became an important record of the submarine’s missions and final moments.
Although O’Kane survived, he carried the memory of the sailors who were lost. He often remembered the crew members who did not return home.
The captain was awarded the Medal of Honor
The story of the USS Tang continues to be remembered in museums and historical collections.
Years after the original submarine was lost, the U.S. Navy named another submarine the USS Tang in honor of the original crew.
Today, visitors can learn about the submarine’s final mission through exhibits at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The experience helps people understand the dangers faced by submarine crews during World War II.
The USS Tang story is a reminder of the courage, teamwork, and sacrifice shown by sailors during one of the most challenging periods in history.
With only nine survivors from a crew of 87, the mission remains one of the most powerful survival stories from World War II naval history.
The disaster is recreated for visitors to the National World War II Museum
Seven years after the original USS Tang (SS-306) sank, the Navy honored her legacy by commissioning a new sub, the USS Tang (SS-563). During its dedication, Executive Officer W.R. Anderson paid tribute to the lost crew:
“Fate cut down your fighting submarine at the very hour you deserved the greatest laurels of victory. We cannot replace you. We can only hope to capture some of your skill, devotion, and gallantry.” (via All Hands)
Today, the Tang’s story is brought to life at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The immersive exhibit, “Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience,” lets visitors feel what it was like to be trapped underwater during the disaster. Groups of 27 step into a realistic simulation of the submarine, complete with sounds, motion, and tension. Each participant is assigned the name of a real Tang crew member — and at the end, they find out whether their person lived or died.
With only nine survivors out of 87 men, that moment drives home the staggering cost of war — and the courage it took to face it.
