Circular Torpedo Tragedy: Tang Crew’s 9 Survivor Story

Lieutenant Commander Richard O'Kane's Aggressive Tactics

• 💡 Lieutenant Commander Richard O'Kane, commander of the USS Tang, adopted unorthodox and aggressive tactics from his mentor, Dudley Morton, advocating direct attacks into enemy convoys.
• 🎯 O'Kane's methods, which defied standard Navy doctrine, proved highly effective in crippling Japanese logistics and setting new records for tonnage sunk.

Record-Breaking War Patrols

• 🚀 The USS Tang achieved unprecedented success in its early patrols, sinking numerous Japanese cargo ships and tankers.
• 📈 O'Kane's third patrol was recognized as the most successful ever by an American submarine, sinking 10 ships and 39,000 tons.
• 🏆 By his fifth patrol, O'Kane had sunk 20 ships in just seven months, establishing a remarkable record among submarine commanders.

The Fatal Fifth Patrol and Circular Torpedo

• ⚠️ The Tang's final patrol in the heavily defended Formosa Strait was fraught with danger, with increased detection risks.
• 💥 During a critical attack, the Mark 18 electric torpedo fired from tube 8 malfunctioned, performing a circular run back towards the Tang.
• 🌊 The torpedo struck the Tang's stern, causing the submarine to sink rapidly to 180 feet below the surface, trapping most of the crew.

Survival and Captivity

• ⚓ Only 9 of the 87 crew members survived the initial sinking and subsequent escape attempts from the submerged submarine.
• ⛓️ The survivors endured brutal beatings by Japanese sailors and harsh conditions in POW camps like Afuna and Amorei.
• 🏥 They suffered from severe malnutrition and disease for 10 months until Japan's surrender, with many losing significant weight.

Legacy and Recognition

• 🎖️ Richard O'Kane was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions and leadership during the Tang's final engagements.
• ✅ The USS Tang was officially recognized as the most successful American submarine of WWII by both number of ships sunk and total tonnage.
• 📚 O'Kane's aggressive tactics became standard submarine doctrine, and the USS O'Kane (DDG-77) was later named in his honor, with his books becoming required reading at the US Naval Academy.
• 🕊️ The Tang's wreck remains undiscovered in the Formosa Strait, and the 78 lost crew members are remembered through various memorials and exhibits.