MacKenzie

and Her Namesake:

Ken MacKenzie

By J. B. Hall
Historian
USS George K. MacKenzie Association

13 May 2016
MacKenzie and Her Namesake: In the Regiment of Midshipmen he rose to the
position of third in command, serving as the
Ken MacKenzie Regimental Adjutant during his first‐class
year.
He wasn’t called George. That was his father’s His biography in The Lucky Bag, the class
name. His family called him Ken. Classmates yearbook, includes the comment: “Mac
and shipmates called him Ken or Mac. undertakes things with such enthusiasm and
George Kenneth MacKenzie, Junior was born works so persistently that he invariably
in Brooklyn, New York on Monday, 30 May succeeds. He is always cheerful and ready to
1910 to George K. MacKenzie and his wife break into a smile, with the result that he is
Cara. Ken would soon be joined by brother very popular. His upright carriage and
Stewart, one year younger, and sister Jean, dignified bearing command the respect and
three years younger. admiration of those with whom he comes in
contact. He is a splendid companion, a sterling
They grew up in in the working class friend.”4
neighborhood of Flatbush in Brooklyn, south
of Prospect Park, where his father had grown He graduated with the class of 1931 and was
up and his grandparents, aunts and cousins commissioned as an Ensign in the U. S. Navy.
lived. His great‐grandparents had immigrated His position on the seniority list suggests that
from England and Scotland.1 his class standing was in the top 20 percent.5

Ken attended elementary school at Public USS Raleigh

School 152 in the class of 1923 and graduated At that time it was customary for all newly
from Erasmus Hall High School on Flatbush commissioned Ensigns to be assigned to
Avenue in the class of 1927. He was appointed surface ships in the fleet. This might be
to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1927 by his local considered a continuation of their entry‐level
Congressman, U. S. Representative Andrew L. training, in which they learn to work with
Somers of the Sixth District of New York.2 enlisted sailors, serve as their Division
Officers, rotate through duties in Deck,
U. S. Naval Academy Class of 1931 Ordnance and Engineering and become
“Ken” or Mac” as he was known at Annapolis, competent watchstanders.
had a distinguished record at the Academy.
Ensign MacKenzie reported to USS Raleigh (CL
An athlete and a scholar, he played varsity 7) on 11 July 1931.6 Raleigh, a relatively new,
soccer all four years, a game he had never 35‐knot cruiser equipped with twelve 6”/53
played before arriving at Annapolis, and guns, six torpedo tubes and steam turbine
excelled in track as a sprinter, setting a school propulsion that was homeported at Boston in
record for the 100‐yard dash, and serving as 1931 and operated in the Atlantic.7
captain of the track team his first‐class
(senior) year. He earned the Navy “N” for Ken may not have enjoyed an auspicious
Soccer and the Navy “N” with Star for track, beginning on Raleigh. In Mid‐August, having
signifying that his team had beat Army in a been aboard only a month, he was home in
“starred” competition.3 Brooklyn, became ill, and was admitted to the
Naval Hospital in Brooklyn for two weeks with
He also served on the staff of The Log, the some flu‐like ailment. He apparently
Academy’s weekly paper, for four years and recovered, returned to Raleigh, and enjoyed
was Editor‐in‐Chief his first‐class year.
leave again at Christmas, returning on New married in Brooklyn on 8 June 1933.10 Ken
Year’s Eve. spent the rest of June on leave, presumably for
a honeymoon, and reported to Submarine
Navy Olympic Track Squad School at New London on 30 June 1933.
In 1932 Ken’s service in Raleigh was
interrupted when he was assigned to the Navy Ken and Jo travelled by car to San Diego
Olympic Track Squad. While Ken was still on between 9 December 1933 and 7 January
his Christmas leave, message orders from the 1934 when Ken reported to USS Bonita. Jo
Bureau of Navigation ordered Ken to apparently went back east for a time, and then
Annapolis in connection with training the returned to California in August 1934, sailing
Navy Olympic Squad. from New York to Los Angeles on the SS Santa
Lucia, departing on 31 August and arriving on
The Navy assembled its best athletes at 18 September.11 During this period on the
Annapolis to train under the direction of the west coast they lived for a time in Vallejo in an
Academy athletic staff for participation in the apartment at 422 Wilson Avenue, just across
elimination events for the selection of the the Napa River from the Mare Island Naval
United States Olympic team for the 1932 Shipyard.12 In July 1935 their first child,
Olympics at Los Angeles.8 Ken served in this daughter Donna, was born in San Diego.13
duty at Annapolis from 8 January through 27
June 1932. He apparently did not participate In June 1936 they drove back from San Diego
in either the U. S. Olympic trials at Stanford in to New Hampshire where the submarine
July or at the Olympics in Los Angeles in Plunger was being constructed in the
August. Portsmouth Navy Yard. They lived in York
Beach, Maine. Their son, George K. III was
Back to USS Raleigh born in Boston in December 1936.14 15
His service in the Navy Olympic Track Squad
complete, he was then ordered back to When Plunger moved to its new home port of
Raleigh, with a couple of weeks leave en route, San Diego in November 1935, Josephine,
followed by passage on USS Nitro (AE 2) to San Donna and George sailed from New York to
Diego, where his ship then was deployed. Los Angeles on SS Virginia.16
During Ken’s absence Raleigh had participated In March 1939 the family travelled by rail back
in Fleet Problem XIII, an exercise that to the east coast, this time to New London,
demonstrated the vulnerability of Pearl where the family would live on Pequot
Harbor to attack by carrier aircraft. Avenue, near the mouth of the Thames River
Ken continued to serve in Raleigh until June downstream of the city and the submarine
1933, shortly before the ship changed base. This would be the family home for the
homeport from Boston to San Diego.9 next several years as George was stationed at
the submarine base and then commanded the
rescue ship Falcon.17 In July 1942 the family
Marriage and Family travelled from New London to San Francisco,
In the summer of 1933 Ken had completed two the home port of Submarine Squadron 8, to
years as an Ensign, during which the Navy did which Ken was assigned and had already
not permit its new officers to marry. He and reported. Ken took a few days leave in July, but
Josephine Ursula Moore had been high school departed on 23 July 1942 for the war in the
sweethearts in Brooklyn, and had waited Pacific. The family returned to New London.
through his four years at Annapolis and his
two years as a new Ensign. Ken and Jo
Submarine Service designated as Qualified in Submarines in
December 1935.
While serving in Raleigh, in February 1933,
Ken requested service in submarines, a In the summer of 1936 after two and a half
request that was approved and probably years in Bonita, Lieutenant (j.g.) MacKenzie
encouraged by his second commanding was ordered back to the east coast.
officer, Captain R. S. Culp, a submarine officer.
His request was approved, and he detached USS Plunger – Engineer Officer
from Raleigh on 1 June 1933. After about three Plunger (SS 179), a Porpoise‐class submarine,
weeks of leave, including a wedding and was under construction at the Portsmouth
honeymoon, Ken reported to New London for Naval Shipyard in Maine when MacKenzie
submarine training. reported for duty, about three days before
launching. He participated in the completion
The submarine service in 1933 was still a and fitting out at Portsmouth, and was
young and unproven service at a time when designated as Qualified for Command in
the utility of the submarine in unrestricted Submarines during this period in October
submarine warfare had been demonstrated by 1936. On 19 November 1936 USS Plunger was
the Germans in World War I, but had not been commissioned, with Lt. (j.g.) Mackenzie a
accepted as legitimate by the establishment of plankowner in the commissioning crew, and
the Navy, much less the country. the submarine’s engineer, the third‐senior
The submarine fleet consisted of about 50 S‐ office on board.
Class boats commissioned in 1920‐25 and Several months after commissioning, Plunger
nine newer V‐Boats, some still being departed on an extensive shakedown cruise
completed. Earlier submarines that had that took her to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
served in World War I had been through the Panama Canal and to Guayaquil,
decommissioned. Ecuador, before arriving in San Diego. San
The submarine service was a small service Diego became Plunger’s home port on 20
with an uncertain future. November 1937.

Ken reported to Submarine School at New Plunger then operated as a unit of Submarine
London on 30 June 1933 and completed the Squadron 6 from San Diego to Hawaii to the
course on 9 December.18 Aleutian Islands, including a deployment with
submarine tender USS Holland (AS 3) and five
USS Bonita – Ken’s First Submarine other Porpoise‐class boats to Dutch Harbor in
Ken reported for duty aboard USS Bonita (SS early 1938. Ken was originally scheduled to
165) on 10 January 1934.19 Bonita was a transfer off of Plunger in summer 1938. He
Barracuda‐class, or V‐boat submarine, just requested an extension of duty for one year,
five years old. Bonita was assigned to into 1939, and the request was granted.
Submarine Division 12 homeported in San
Ken was promoted to Lieutenant on 20
Diego and operated between the west coast
February 1939, with a date of rank of 21
and Hawaiian waters. For some period in
September 1938 that was later changed, in
1935 Bonita was apparently in the Mare Island
1940, to 1 September 1938. He completed his
Naval Shipyard. Ken was promoted to
service in Plunger on 28 February 1939.
Lieutenant (junior grade) in June 1934, after
three years as an Ensign. After completing a Ken had served as Engineering Officer on
year in Bonita he was eligible to be examined Plunger. During the 1938‐39 period, Plunger
for qualification in submarines. Ken was was awarded the white “E” for engineering
competition in Submarine Group Five, and Ken were stationed at the Navy’s submarine bases
was specifically named as having contributed in New London, Coco Solo in the Panama Canal
materially to this excellent performance. Zone, San Diego, Pearl Harbor and Cavite in the
Philippines.21
Deep Sea Diving and Training and development work in the open
Submarine Rescue ocean was both dangerous and inefficient,
Having accumulating six and one‐half years of which led to the construction of an Escape
sea service, including five years in submarines, Training Tank at Submarine Base New
and qualifying for command in submarines, London, a twelve story high swimming pool
Lieutenant MacKenzie was due for shore duty that became both a waterfront icon and a rite
and ready for a new challenge. Having already of passage for Navy submarine sailors.22
succeeded in the specialized and physically
Deep Sea Diving School
and technically demanding submarine service,
Lieutenant MacKenzie entered this
he now further specialized by joining the Navy
community by attending the Navy Deep Sea
Deep Sea Diving community.
Diver school at the Washington Navy Yard
This small community in the Navy, consisting from 20 March through 2 June 1939. He was
of just over fifty enlisted divers and diving one of three officers selected for this course, all
officers, was at the forefront of diving of whom were to serve at the escape training
technology. It was this group at this time that tanks at submarine bases.
was developing both the decompression
Near the end of the course he received a set of
tables that are used by divers to this day to
orders for temporary additional duty that
avoid decompression sickness, and the mixed
seem unusual. The brand new light cruiser
gas diving techniques that are used to this day
USS St. Louis (CL 49) was commissioned in
to avoid nitrogen narcosis at great depths.20
Norfolk on 19 May 1939. On the same day the
Another specialty practiced by this Bureau of Navigation, at the request of the
community was submarine rescue. Until Bureau of Engineering, issued orders to Lt.
shortly before this time it was very simple: Mackenzie to report to NOB Norfolk the next
when a submarine sank, the crew died. Some day to assist with the ships service diesel
in the Navy were not satisfied with this and, generator. Apparently his talents as an
led by Lieutenant (later Vice Admiral) Charles engineer officer were still in demand.
B. “Swede” Momsen, USNA 1920, began to
He returned to Washington in time to
develop procedures and devices for
complete the diving course on 2 June and
submarine rescue. These devices included the
report to New London on 3 June 1939.
Momsen lung, a rebreathing device for use
when swimming to the surface from a sunken Submarine Base New London
submarine and the McCann Submarine Rescue He was then assigned to Submarine Base New
Chamber. London in June 1939, where he served as
Training and using these devices required the officer in charge of the Escape Training Tank,
support of vessels and shore facilities. supervising the divers, instructors and
students who trained in this unique facility.23
Several Bird‐class oceangoing minesweepers At the same time he was a member of the
built in World War 1 were converted into larger diving and submarine rescue
submarine rescue ships that would support community, which included divers and diving
divers and deploy the rescue chamber. These officers at New London, on the rescue ships,
including USS Falcon (ASR 2) at New London, Falcon and its sister ships were unusual in that
at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit in their commanding officers were required to be
Washington DC and at the Navy yards.24 The qualified in submarines and qualified as diving
importance of this community functioning as a officers, a very unusual requirement in a Navy
team was very apparent at the time of that tended to think than any line officer
MacKenzie’s arrival. should be able to command any surface ship.30

USS Squalus Salvage Under his command the ship participated in

USS Squalus (SS 192), a brand new Sargo‐class the rescue attempt for USS O‐9 in June 1941.
submarine, sank during sea trials off the Maine This older submarine had been
coast on 23 May 1939. This prompted a very recommissioned as a training submarine in
dramatic and successful rescue operation preparation for the expected war. On the
using the McCann Rescue Chamber deployed morning of 20 June O‐9 failed to return from a
on rescue ship Falcon, supervised by Lt. dive. Falcon, Triton (SS 201) and O‐6 and O‐10
Commander Swede Momsen, and completed conducted a search but were unable to locate
shortly after midnight on 25 May. O‐9, which, many years later, was discovered
to have been crushed at depth with the loss of
The rescue was immediately followed by a all 33 men aboard.31
much longer and in some ways more
demanding salvage operation that took place After the United States entered World War II,
from 26 May through 15 September. This Falcon continued to operate out of New
operation involved lifting the sub and moving London for salvage, towing and experimental
it to shallower water in several stages, and operations, sometimes also serving as the
would eventually involve 640 dives made by flagship for the newly created Commander,
53 divers over a period of 113 days.25 Submarine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, Rear
Admiral Richard S. Edwards.32 MacKenzie
On 5 September Ken reported to Falcon and continued to command Falcon until 31 May
relieved Lieutenant “Joe Boats” Morrison as 1942.33
assistant diving officer to recently promoted
Commander Momsen.26 On 11 September Ken Prospective Submarine
made an inspection dive on Squalus and Commanding Officer
observed that it was critically unstable, Ken was ordered to Prospective Submarine
making the upcoming lift and move more Commanding Officer training at New London
urgent. Ken attached the cable that brought that began on 25 May 1942, a few days before
Squalus to the surface.27 The final lift and his relief, and was completed on 30 June. He
move was completed on 13 September and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander
Squalus was in drydock at Portsmouth on 15 (temporary) on 14 June.
September.28
Lt. Comdr. MacKenzie was then ordered to
USS Falcon – First Command report to Submarine Squadron 8, homeported
Lieutenant MacKenzie took command of the in San Francisco, but deployed to the Pacific, as
submarine rescue ship USS Falcon (ASR 2) on a prospective Commanding Officer for one of
5 May 1941.29 The ship was assigned to its submarines. The family travelled by train
Submarine Squadron 2, homeported in New to San Francisco, arriving on 7 July. Ken took
London and served as a rescue ship, salvage leave 9‐14 July, then reported to the
ship and a tender for submarines. Commander 12th Naval District for
transportation. The four weeks from 30 June
to 23 July was the last time the family would began her second War Patrol just in time to
be together. Ken departed San Francisco for participate in the Battle of Midway. She
Hawaii on 23 July by ship. returned from that patrol in even worse
condition.
Ken arrived in Pearl Harbor on 31 July. When
he arrived, COMSUBPAC modified his orders Ken arrived at SubDiv 42 on 31 July, and was
because COMSUBRON 8 had deployed to the temporarily assigned to Dolphin on 1 August.35
South West Pacific. Ken reported to Two other prospective commanding officers
COMSUBRON 4/COMSUBDIV 42 at Pearl as a were also assigned temporarily, Lt. Cmdr. Roy
Prospective Commanding Officer. At this time S. Benson, USNA 1929 and Lt. Cmdr. Dudley W.
CINCPAC had been delegated authority to “Mush” Morton, USNA 1930. In spite of their
issue officer orders, normally a BuPers seniority, their temporary assignments did not
authority. Whatever orders CINCPAC issued displace either the Commanding Officer, Lt.
to Ken did not make it into his service record Cmdr. Royal L. Rutter, USNA 1930 or Executive
back in BuPers, so his activity from August Officer, Lt. Joseph J. Staley, USNA 1934,
through December is not documented in his although Mush Morton was ordered to relieve
service record. Fortunately, there were other Rutter from 28 August to 28 September when
records. Rutter was hospitalized with the flu. The
temporary duties assigned to these senior
USS Dolphin – Relief Crew supernumerary officers are unknown to us,
The day after arriving in Pearl Harbor, Ken although they have signed some deck log
was assigned temporarily to one of SubDiv entries during August and September. It
42’s boats, USS Dolphin (SS 169). seems likely that, with Ken’s submarine
Dolphin was an older V‐Boat, somewhat engineering background he might have been
similar to Ken’s old Bonita, and had had a employed to facilitate Dolphin’s overhaul and
tough time. She survived the December 7 repair. Dolphin underwent a regular overhaul
attack, took Japanese aircraft under fire, then at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard from 27 July
got underway successfully. through 2 September, and spent September
undergoing additional repairs at the
After a few local operations in December, Submarine Base and conducting a few days of
Dolphin began her first War Patrol on underway training. This more extensive refit
Christmas Eve. During that patrol, her skipper, was apparently successful. Dolphin’s third war
Lt. Cmdr. Gordon B. Rainer, USNA 1925, had a patrol, 12 October to 5 December 1942, ended
nervous breakdown, tuned command over to with the sub in much better material condition
his XO, and went to his room. The XO than at the end of previous patrols.36
completed the patrol (and was otherwise
pretty successful, eventually receiving three Submarine War Patrols
awards of the Navy Cross and retiring as
CINCPACFLT – his name was Bernard Clarey, USS Gato – Executive Officer
USNA 1934).34 USS Gato (SS 212) was the newly
commissioned lead ship of the Gato‐class, and
Dolphin returned from that first War Patrol in had made her first war patrol out of Pearl
poor material condition, with a list of overhaul Harbor in April through June 1942.
requirements that would have taken three
months to accomplish. She couldn’t be spared The Second War Patrol, 2 July to 21 August
for that long, and only got 30 days of overhaul 1942, began at Pearl Harbor was conducted
and some Submarine Base repair time, then between the Kurile Islands and the Aleutians
and ended at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. A Third attempted to overtake, but then destroyers
patrol was initiated from Dutch Harbor on 4 began closing rapidly. Gato dove and evaded.
September 1942 but was terminated early On 20 November Gato proceeded to intercept
when Gato was recalled to Pearl Harbor for a predicted transit of destroyers and
another operation, arriving at Midway on 28 submarines from Truk to Rabaul, but did not
September and at Pearl Harbor on 2 October. encounter them.40
This was subsequently considered to be part
From 27 November to 9 December Gato
of the Second War Patrol.
patrolled the Rabaul‐Buka‐Shortlands traffic
In October 1942 Ken reported to Gato in Pearl lanes near Cape St. George. On 4 December
Harbor to serve as Executive Officer. For some Gato sighted a destroyer but was unable to
reason the Commanding Officer, Executive attack.41
Officer and Engineering Officer were all
On 6 December Gato sighted a formation of
replaced simultaneously. It was understood
two cargo ships and three destroyers. While
that MacKenzie’s assignment to Gato was on a
making an approach the larger of the two
temporary basis, and he was still en route to
cargo ships, which resemble Goya Maru, Gato
COMSUBRON 8.
was attacked by five aircraft depth bombs. She
Gato’s Third War Patrol began at Pearl Harbor launched four torpedoes and heard a torpedo
on 5 November 1942 ended at Brisbane, detonation, but was unable to observe the
Australia on 23 December 1942. This patrol results as the three destroyers proceeded to
began under the operational control of attack Gato for the next four hours. This attack
Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific, Pacific began with a coordinated three‐ship echo‐
Ocean Area and changed operation control on ranging search, and included an accurate
11 November 1942 to Commander, Task Force depth charging attack that caused some minor
72, Southwest Pacific Area.37 damage to Gato while the sub was operating at
a depth of 250 feet. The destroyers attempted
On 8 November Gato was directed to proceed
another approach, but Gato evaded them in
to assist a disabled PBY aircraft near Johnston
part by selecting a course that ran with the
Island, which she did at “four engine speed.”
current.42
Before Gato arrived the PBY succeeded at
taking off and Gato resumed its original In his remarks in the USS Gato – Report of Third
orders, 24 hours behind schedule and 6,000 War Patrol, covering the patrol from Pearl
gallons of fuel shorter.38 Harbor on 5 November 1942 to Brisbane on 23
December 1942, Lt. Comdr. Robert J. Foley, the
On 12 November, now in the South Pacific
Commanding Officer, USS Gato, made two
Area, Gato was seen by an enemy heavy
remarks specifically mentioning Lt. Comdr.
bomber. Gato made a quick dive and was
MacKenzie. (It was unusual for individual’s
attacked with two depth bombs, one of which
names to appear in patrol reports, and
struck when Gato was passing 80 feet and the
fortunate for us, since these reports are the
other when she was passing 140 feet en route
only surviving documentation of Ken’s service
to 175 feet. The boat was shaken up but not
in Gato. Because Ken would not have the
damaged. She passed between the Marshall
opportunity the “fleet‐up” to command in
and Gilbert island groups on 13 November.39
Gato, these remarks may have been intended
On 17 November Gato sighted smoke from a to support him being assigned immediately to
ship that was too far away to intercept, then at command upon leaving his temporary
night sighted a group of four destroyers. Gato assignment on Gato.)
In discussing Gato’s successful evasion of the and his South West Pacific area command, and
group of three enemy destroyers on 6 it was the port and base for naval operations
December, Foley stated that “The commanded by Admiral Halsey’s Southwest
commanding officer wishes to call attention to Pacific Force. It was the destination for
the fact that Lieutenant Commander G. K. massive amount of war material and
MacKenzie, the Navigator, had carefully personnel that crossed the Pacific from the
studied the current during our ten days in the west coast of the United States.45
area. It is felt that his solution of the current
The submarine operations out of Brisbane
(greatly at variance with the sailing
were under the command of Captain James
directions) was largely instrumental in the
Fife, who served as Commander, Task Force
evasion.”
72, U. S. 7th Fleet, Southwest Pacific Force.46
In his concluding remarks he stated: “In view The submarine base was at New Farm Wharf,
of the detachment of the Commanding Officer, several miles up the Brisbane River in the city.
Executive Officer and Engineering (third)
Ken had arrived in Brisbane on Gato when she
Officers prior to this patrol, the Gato was
completed her Third War Patrol on 23
fortunate in having Lieutenant Commander G.
December and detached the next day. He was
K. MacKenzie ordered on board for temporary
attached to the Submarine Squadron Eight
duty. Acting as Executive Officer, Navigator
staff while in Brisbane. Among other activities
and assistant approach officer, he left no doubt
he embarked once as a liaison officer on USS
as to his ability and judgment. In the carefully
Selfridge (DD 357), a Porter‐class destroyer
considered opinion of the commanding officer,
and flagship of DesRon 4, on 26 January 1943,
Lieutenant Commander MacKenzie is in all
operating out of Brisbane conducting ASW
respects ready to command a submarine on
exercises with submarine Amberjack.
war patrol.”43
Selfridge returned to Brisbane on Thursday,
In the first endorsement by the Commander 28 January and discharged Ken at the Pile
South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force, Lighthouse in Moreton Bay outside the mouth
Admiral William F. Halsey states: “The of the Brisbane River.47
favorable remarks of the commanding officer
about Lieutenant Commander MacKenzie’s USS Triton – Submarine Command
performance are noted with pleasure.”44 USS Triton (SS 201) was a Tambor‐class
submarine built at the Portsmouth Naval
Ken was detached from Gato on 24 December Shipyard in Maine and commissioned in 1940.
1942 and reported to COMSUBRON 8 for duty It was equipped with four Fairbanks‐Morse
as prospective submarine Commanding opposed piston diesel engines driving
Officer. electrical generators and four GE high speed
electric motors driving twin screws through
Brisbane, Australia reduction gears, giving it a maximum speed of
The city and port of Brisbane, Australia is
20 knots on the surface and 9 knots
located on the east coast of Australia at the
submerged. It had ten torpedo tubes, six
mouth of the Brisbane River, a winding,
forward and four aft, and could carry 24
navigable river, and facing Moreton Bay, a
torpedoes.48 Triton would have a crew of 74,
large bay protected by barrier islands. It is
including 6 officers, on its upcoming patrol.49
located at latitude 27° South, about equivalent
to that of Tampa, Florida and has a humid, Triton already had an impressive war record.
subtropical climate. During 1942 and 1943 it She had been on patrol since 19 November
was the headquarters of General MacArthur 1941 and was operating near Wake Island
when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The On 6 March Triton reported attacking a
next day Triton fired the first torpedoes of the destroyer‐escorted convoy, sinking the 3,057‐
war at a Japanese surface ship that was ton freighter Kiriha Maru and damaging
attacking her. Her second and third patrols another. One of Triton’s torpedoes made a
were in the Japanese‐controlled East China circular run, and the sub had to go deep to
Sea, her fourth patrol in the Aleutians and her evade it.
fifth patrol from Midway through Wake, Truk‐
She attacked another convoy on 8 March and
Rabaul‐New Guinea to Brisbane, each patrol
reported that five of the eight torpedoes
resulting in significant tonnages of Japanese
scored hits, but could not observe them or
losses.
follow up because of escort attacks.
Triton arrived in Brisbane on 26 January 1943
On 11 March Triton reported "Two groups of
and moored alongside USS Fulton (AS 11) at
smokes, 5 or more ships each, plus escorts.
New Farm Wharf for refit.
Kept down by air cover since dawn. Assume
Lieutenant Commander MacKenzie took Triton cannot cross equator. Am chasing."
command of USS Triton (SS 201) on 14 This was the last radio transmission received
February 1943 in Brisbane. On the day after from Triton.
the change of command, Triton conducted a
On the morning of 13 March Triton was told by
test dive in the Brisbane River.
message that three enemy destroyers had
Triton’s Sixth War Patrol been sighted at 2°‐00'S, 145°‐44'E on a
Triton’s sixth war patrol began two days after northerly course. She was informed that they
MacKenzie took command, on 16 February. were probably on a submarine hunt or were a
The six‐month‐long Guadalcanal campaign convoy cover and had missed contact.50
had just ended successfully with Japanese
withdrawal. The Allies were beginning to
Post‐War Confirmation
Subsequent research has revealed that Triton
make some progress against the Japanese in
was most probably engaged and sunk by the
New Guinea. But the Japanese still controlled
Japanese ships that were described in the
the Bismark Sea and operated their major
message of 13 March. These were destroyer
South Pacific base at Rabaul on the east end of
Satsuki, and subchasers Ch 22 and Ch 24.
New Britain island. Interdicting sea lines of
Japanese records indicated that these three
communication to Rabaul was a major
ships attacked and sunk a submarine on 15
element of MacArthur’s strategy.
March 1943 at 0° 09’N, 144° 55’ E in the
Triton’s objective was to destroy enemy Bismark Sea north of New Guinea. This is
shipping in the vicinity of Rabaul This involved corroborated by the patrol report of USS
transiting from Brisbane through the Coral Sea Trigger (SS 237) that reports hearing depth
and Solomon Sea around New Britain and into charge explosions at a distance for about an
the Bismark Sea north of New Guinea and New hour around 1437K on 15 March while
Britain. operating about ten miles away.51 52
The transit took Triton by Buka Island, north Overdue and Presumed Lost
of Bougainville, where on 22 February Triton Triton was due to return to Brisbane on 8
reported observing a new Japanese radar. April, and when she failed to return she was
Triton then entered the Bismark Sea, her reported overdue and presumed lost.53
hunting ground.
Ken’s family was notified by telegram dated 22 awarded the Navy Cross to MacKenzie with
April 1943 that he was missing in action. two citations, one classified Secret, and one
unclassified, based on the action reports
The formal public announcement was made
contained in the last messages received from
on 22 July 1943, stating “The U. S. Submarine
Triton on 11 March. The original Secret
Triton has failed to return from patrol
citation read:
operations and must be presumed to be lost.”54
During the sixth war patrol of the U. S.
As provided by law, missing service members
S. Triton, while Commanding Office of
were presumed to survive and continued to
that vessel, you adeptly and daringly
receive pay and allowances until the
maneuvered your ship into positions
expiration of twelve months from the date
from which to strike the enemy, and
they were declared missing. On 10 April 1944
aggressively attacked a convoy of five
the Secretary of the Navy made a finding that
ships escorted by aircraft and a
Ken was dead, with death presumed to have
destroyer, sinking four of these ships
occurred on 9 April 1944, and the Bureau of
and damaging the fifth, in the face of
Medicine and Surgery issued a Death
vigorous enemy counter‐measures,
Certificate to that effect.55 56
including depth charges and gunfire.

Awards The original unclassified citation read:

Subsequent to the loss, the Commander, … you adeptly and daringly
Submarines, Pacific presented a Letter of maneuvered your ship into positions
Commendation to Lt. Commander MacKenzie from which to strike the enemy, and
that read as follows: aggressively attacked … in the face of
“On the sixth war patrol by the USS Triton, that vigorous enemy counter‐measures …
vessel is credited with having attacked and In the fullness of bureaucratic perfection, a
sunk four enemy vessels and damaging a fifth later citation was prepared in July 1943 and
ship of an escorted convoy. She later reported approved in August at the Bureau of Naval
chasing two other convoys. The ability and Personnel, which read:
aggressiveness displayed by the Commanding
Officer are above the ordinary in The President of the United States
consideration of it being his first war patrol. takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to
All attacks were aggressively completed and
Lieutenant Commander George K.
the conduct of the patrol is an example of
Mackenzie, Jr., United States Navy
daring, aggressiveness and tenacity that could
well be emulated by other submarine For service as set forth in the following
personnel.”57
CITATION:
The Navy Cross For extraordinary heroism and
The Navy Cross is the nation’s second‐highest courageous devotion to duty as
decoration for valor, second only to the Medal Commanding Officer of the U.S.S.
of Honor. At this time the authority to award Triton during the sixth war patrol of
the Navy Cross was delegated to the that vessel in enemy controlled
Commander, Seventh Fleet. On 28 April 1943, waters. With daring and skillful
while Triton and its crew were still considered seamanship, Lieutenant Commander
overdue, Vice Admiral A. S. Carpender MacKenzie maneuvered his ship into
 effective striking position and Other Posthumous Recognition
attacked an enemy Japanese convoy. Ken was also awarded the Purple Heart for the
In spite of vigorous gunfire and depth same action.
charge attacks by the escorting enemy
aircraft and destroyer, the Triton sank In July 1943 a selection board considered him
four of the five hostile convoy ships for promotion to Commander. At the time he
and damaged the fifth. Lieutenant was still officially considered missing, and his
Commander Mackenzie’s inspiring original Navy Cross citation had been received
leadership and the excellent by the Bureau. He was selected for promotion
performance of duty of his command to Commander and was promoted
were in keeping with the highest posthumously.
traditions of the United States Naval He also received service awards including the
Service. American Defense Service Medal with Fleet
At that time Ken was still considered missing, Clasp for his service in Falcon prior to 7
hence the use of “takes pleasure” in the December 1941, the American Campaign
wording. Medal for his service in Falcon after 7
December, and the World War II Victory
At a later date, after Ken was presumed dead Medal. He should have also received the
rather than missing, another version of the Asiatic‐Pacific Campaign Medal with two
citation was issued: engagement stars for his two war patrols,
The President of the United States of although this is not reflected in his service
America takes pride in presenting the record.
Navy Cross (Posthumously) to
Lieutenant Commander George Survivors
Kenneth MacKenzie, Jr. (NSN: 0‐ Ken was survived by his wife, Josephine, two
70326), United States Navy, for children: Donna, 7, and George, 6, his mother
extraordinary heroism and Cara and sister Jean.
distinguished service in the line of his
Donna and George went to live with Charles
profession as Commanding Officer of
and Eleanor Andrews after their father’s loss
the U.S.S. TRITON (SS‐201), during the
because Josephine was seriously ill with
SIXTH War Patrol of that submarine in
tuberculosis. Donna and George spent the rest
enemy controlled waters during
of their childhood with the Andrews as Charles
February 1943. With daring and
continued his Navy career.
skillful seamanship, Lieutenant
Commander MacKenzie maneuvered Josephine died of tuberculosis in November
his ship into effective striking position 1946.58 This occurred the year before the
and attacked an enemy convoy, antibiotic streptomycin became available as
sinking several ships of the convoy and the first cure for TB.
damaging others. Lieutenant
Commander MacKenzie's inspiring Ken’s sister Jean enlisted in the Navy during
leadership and the excellent World War II as a Machinist’s Mate, later
performance of duty of his command changed rating to Aerographer’s Mate and
were in keeping with the highest retired as a Chief Aerographer’s Mate after
traditions of the United States Naval twenty years’ service.
Service.
Ken’s mother Cara remarried after the death of decommissioning ceremony with husband
Ken’s father and lived in New Jersey as Mrs. and MacKenzie veteran Captain Jack Renard
Mrs. Clark H. Bower. and Ken’s sister Jean, a retired Chief Petty
Officer. Since that time Donna has also
Christening of DD 836 attended reunions of the USS George K.
On Sunday, 13 May 1945 at the Bath Iron MacKenzie Association.
Works in Bath, Maine, U. S. Navy destroyer
number 836 was launched into the Kennebec Ken MacKenzie and Who’s
River. At the moment of launching a name was Who in the Navy
attached to that ship that would serve as an
One impressive thing about Ken’s service
identification and inspiration to its crew for
record is how many famous names appear in
the more than three decades that the ship was
it. It’s like reading a “Who’s Who in the Navy.”
in commission and for another four decades
There are the names of William Leahy and
and counting since. That name was George K.
Chester Nimitz, both future Fleet Admirals, but
MacKenzie.
that’s to be expected since as Chiefs of the
It is a tradition of the Navy that new ships are Bureau of Navigation they signed all officer’s
assigned sponsors, usually women, who orders. Officers with whom Ken actually
perform the act of christening the new ship at served include:
the time of launching.
Captain Byron McCandless was Commanding
In the case of destroyer 836, Ken’s nine‐year‐ Officer of USS Raleigh. McCandless had
old daughter Donna MacKenzie was received the Navy Cross in World War I, was
designated the ship’s sponsor by the Secretary Aide to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
of the Navy. when Franklin D. Roosevelt was Assistant
Secretary of the Navy and became friends with
Donna proved to be an excellent choice. FDR. He was later recalled from the retired list
Donna maintained contact with the ship, as the to command the Navy Destroyer Base at San
Navy hopes that sponsors will do, and she did Diego during World War II and was promoted
so to a remarkable degree. to Commodore. He was a flag expert, and
In 1955, ten years after the launching of our helped his friend FDR design the Presidential
ship, a young Naval Academy graduate named Flag.
Ensign John W. Renard reported aboard Captain McCandless was relieved by Captain R.
MacKenzie for his first duty assignment. In the S. Culp, a submarine officer, and Culp
fullness of time Donna MacKenzie met Mr. approved (and may have encouraged) Ken’s
Renard, and they married in November request for submarine training in early 1933.
1957.59 Like our namesake, Jack Renard left Captain Culp later commander SUBRON 4 in
the destroyer service and became a submarine 1936‐38.
officer. He commanding both submarines and
amphibious force ships (one of which was, Bonita was commanded until June 1934 by Lt.
coincidentally, USS Raleigh (LPD 1)) and Comdr. Allan Rockwell McCann, USNA 1917, a
retired as a Captain. diving officer and developer of the McCann
Rescue Chamber. McCann was a Rear Admiral
Over thirty‐one years after the christening, in World War II and COMSUBPAC in the late
USS George K. MacKenzie was 1940s.
decommissioned, and our ship’s sponsor
Donna MacKenzie Renard was present for the
Bonita was subsequently commanded by Lt. Commander John Meade Haines, USNA 1918,
Comdr. Robert H. Smith, USNA 1919, later was ComSubDiv 42 when Ken was temporarily
COMSUBRON 2 in 1943, killed in plane crash assigned to SubDiv 42 and Dolphin in August‐
in 1943. September 1942. During August 1942 Haines
was serving as the Navy Force Commander for
Ken’s examining board for qualification in
the Makin Island Raid, in which Marine
submarines consisted of:
Raiders were landed by submarines Argonaut
Commander Charles A. Lockwood, USNA 1912, and Nautilus. He later served as ComSubRon
later COMSUBPAC for most of World War II, 16 and CTF 72.

Lieutenant Charles D. Edmunds, USNA 1920, During his temporary assignment to Dolphin
later COMSUBRON 4 in 1943 and in Pearl Harbor Ken served with several
officers who would become well‐known:
Lieutenant Oswald S. Colclough, USNA 1921,
later Commander of Task Group 8.5 in the Lt. Cmdr. Roy S. Benson, USNA 1929,would
North Pacific 1942, Commanding Officer of command Trigger (SS 237), would receive two
USS North Carolina 1945, Judge Advocate Navy Crosses and Two Silver Stars during the
General of the Navy, 1946‐48 and war and would eventually serve as
COMSUBPAC 1948‐49. After retirement he COMSUBPAC and retire as a Rear Admiral.
was Dean of the George Washington
Lt. Cmdr. Dudley W. “Mush” Morton, USNA
University Law School and Acting President of
1930 would command Wahoo (SS 238) and
the University.
receive four Navy Crosses and would die in
Plunger was commanded by Lieutenant action in an attempt to penetrate the Sea of
Commander George Lucius Russell, USNA Japan.
1921B, who commanded Submarine Squadron
Lt. Cmdr. Royal L. Rutter, USNA 1930 would
Ten in 1944‐45, served as Judge Advocate
command Seadragon (SS 194) and Kete (SS
General of the Navy 1948‐52, relieving Rear
369)
Admiral Colclough, and as COMSUBPAC in
1953. Lt. Joseph J. Staley, USNA 1934, would
command Mingo (SS 261)
Commander James Fife, USNA 1918, was
Commanding Officer of Submarine Base New Lt. Comdr. Robert J. Foley, USNA 1927, the
London when Ken reported to serve as diving Commanding Officer, USS Gato, had survived
officer at the Escape Training Tank. Captain the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while
Fife was Commander Task Force 72, serving in USS Tennessee (BB 43), would
exercising direct operational control over receive three awards of the Navy Cross for his
every submarine operating out of eastern service in Gato in the South West Pacific Area,
Australia when Ken was assigned to Triton. and would serve in the 1950s as Chief of Staff
Rear Admiral Fife later commanded all of the of COMSUBLANT and Commanding Officer
submarines in the South West Pacific Area. USS Wisconsin (BB 64).
During the salvage of Squalus Ken served as The names of shipmates are less likely to show
assistant diving officer to Commander Swede up in one’s service record than the names of
Momsen, developer of the Momsen lung and Commanding Officers, so only a few of them
leader of the Navy Deep Sea Diving community have been identified, mostly by mining the
and later Vice Admiral. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers
of the United States Navy and Marine Corps,
which until 1940 listed each officer’s duty
station.
An early shipmate merits special mention: Lt.
Charles H. Andrews, USNA 1930, one year
senior to Ken, served with him on Bonita. He
went on to serve on several submarines. He
was the commissioning Commanding Officer
on USS Gurnard (SS 254), and served until
September 1944, completing six war patrols.
He received two awards of the Navy Cross for
the second and fifth war patrols of Gurnard
and two awards of the Silver Star. Charles and
his wife Eleanor took in Donna and George
MacKenzie after their father was lost and their
mother became ill and became their guardian
after Jo died in 1946. Charles served in Hawaii
in 1951 and graduated from the Naval War
College in 1954. He retired as a Rear Admiral.
Another Bonita shipmate was Oscar Emil
Hagberg, USNA 1932, who had served as an
Ensign under Ernest King on USS Lexington in
1931, later served as Commanding Officer USS
S‐16 (SS 121) at Coco Solo in 1942, CO USS
Albacore in 1943, as Head Football Coach
USNA 1944‐45, and graduated from the Naval
War College in 1955 and retired as a Captain.

Ken MacKenzie’s Life and Service in Photographs

Home

Ken MacKenzie was born and raised in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, where his parents were from
and his grandparents, aunts and cousins lived.

School

Ken attended Public School 152 and
graduated from Erasmus Hall High
School (shown) in the Class of 1927
U. S. Naval Academy

Ken received an appointment to the Naval Academy and
reported to Annapolis in the summer of 1927. He was on
varsity Soccer and Track teams all four years, setting a school
record in the 100‐yard dash. He was a writer for the weekly
newspaper, The Log, all four years, and was Editor in Chief his
senior year. He was on the staff of The Lucky Bag (yearbook).
He was Regimental Adjutant his senior year. He graduated in
the top 20% of the Class of 1931.

USS Raleigh (CL 7) – First Ship

Ken’s first assignment as an Ensign was to USS Raleigh (CL 7), a relatively new, 35‐knot cruiser
equipped with twelve 6”/53 guns and six torpedo tubes and steam turbine propulsion that was
homeported at Boston in 1931 and operated in the Atlantic. He served on Raleigh for two years,
interrupted by six months in early 1932 when he was assigned to the Naval Academy to train with
the Navy Olympic Track Squad.


USS Bonita (SS 165) – First Sub

After completing Submarine School in December 9133, Ken reported to his first submarine, USS
Bonita (SS 165) in January 1934.

Bonita pictured in July 1934 at Muir Glacier, Alaska.



USS Plunger (SS 179) – Plankowner and Engineer

Ken was ordered to Portsmouth NH where Plunger (SS 179) was under construction, and arrived a
few days before launching. He is no doubt among the officers and chiefs saluting the National
Ensign during the commissioning ceremony pictured here on 19 November 1936



Plunger’s shakedown cruise in early 1937 took them through the Panama Canal and down to
Ecuador, where they observed the rituals associated with ‘crossing the line. Note the “Jolly Roger”
flag and the sailors’ state of dress in the following photograph dated 2 May 1937.

Navy Deep Sea Diving School









































In early 1939 Ken attended the Navy Deep Sea Diving School in Washington DC and became
qualified as a diving officer. This picture shows the diving gear of the time, worn by another diver.


Submarine Base New London Escape Training Tank

Assigned to Submarine Base New London from 1939 to 1941, Ken was one of two deep sea diving
officers assigned to the Escape Training Tank.
USS Squalus (SS 192) Salvage

While Ken was undergoing diving training in Washington, USS Squalus sank on a shakedown cruise.
The Navy diving community responded immediately, and succeeded at rescuing all of the crew who
had survived the initial sinking, using the McCann Rescue Chamber. Then began the much longer
process of raising the Squalus. In early September Ken reported to the rescue ship Falcon and
relieved “Joe Boats” Morrison as Assistant Diving Officer to Cmdr. Swede Momsen. Squalus had
been lifted and moved to shallower water, but was still on the bottom. Ken was one of the divers
who attached the lifting cables to Squalus for its final lift, and the sub was lifted to the surface on 13
September.



Squalus at pierside immediately after being raised to the surface. Two lifting pontoons and rescue
ship Falcon in background.


USS Falcon (ASR 2) – First Command

USS Falcon on 21 June 1941 with Ken MacKenzie in command searching for USS O‐9. Submarine in
the distance is USS Triton (SS 201), who was assisting in the search.



USS Dolphin (SS 169) – Relief Crew

USS Dolphin (SS 169) in 1941

Dolphin at B‐3 

Navy Yard Pearl Harbor on 28 July 1942, the day after Dolphin overhaul began

Submarine Base Pearl Harbor in 1941

USS Gato (SS 212) – Executive Officer – Combat Patrol

USS Gato (SS 212) at Mare island in August 1943, several months after Ken’s service as XO.


USS Triton (SS 201) – Submarine Command – Combat Patrol ‐ Lost

USS Triton (SS 201) pictured in 1940

Japanese subchaser CH 24 and destroyer Satsuki that are believed to have sunk Triton.


Position where U. S. Navy believes USS Triton (SS 201) was sunk on 15 March 1943: 0° 09’N, 144° 55’ E 

Recognition

The Navy Cross medal

Service Ribbons: Navy Cross, Purple heart, American Defense Service Medal with Star for Fleet
Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War Two Victory Medal.


USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836)

Miss Donna Mackenzie, Ken’s daughter, posing with the bottle immediately before christening the
destroyer George K. Mackenzie.



“In the name of the United States I christen thee George K. Mackenzie.”

About the Author
The author serves as Historian for the USS George K. MacKenzie Association.  He served in USS George K. 
MacKenzie (DD 836) from 25 April 1969 to 10 May 1972 as a sonar technician and subsequently served as 
a  Navy  Civil  Engineer  Corps  officer  from  1976  to  1996.    He  welcomes  contributions  of  stories  and 
documents about the ship.  He can be reached at j.b.hall@wavecable.com.  
 
About the Association
The USS George K. MacKenzie Association consists of MacKenzie sailors and others with an interest in the 
ship.    It  conducts  reunions  in  even‐numbered  years,  and  has  Facebook  pages  at 
https://www.facebook.com/DD836 and  https://www.facebook.com/groups/816454515051725/  

Notes
                                                            
1
 Fourteenth Census of the United States: 1920, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn Enumeration District 1341, Sheet 
11A 
2
 Service Summary dated 2 May 1944 from service record 
3
 Officer Biography Submission dated December 19, 1941, in service record. 
4
 The Nineteen Thirty One Lucky Bag: The Annual of the Regiment of Midshipmen, United States Naval Academy, 
Annapolis MD, 1931 
5
 Ibid. 
6
 Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, NAVPERS 15,108, 1 
January 1932, U. S. Government Printing Office.  The prewar editions of the Register contained significant 
information about officer’s assignments and qualification. 
7
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Raleigh_%28CL‐7%29  
8
 Annual Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation to the Secretary of the Navy for the Fiscal Year 1932, U. S. 
Government Printing Office, 1932.  Also the Register for 1 January 1933 indicates a six month gap in his sea service 
in Raleigh January through July 1932, from which I infer than this was the period of Track Squad assignment. 
9
 Register, 1 January 1934 
10
 Ancestry.com. New York, New York, Marriage Index 1866‐1937 [database on‐line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com 
Operations, Inc., 2014. 
11
 Immigration and Naturalization Service Form 630 for SS Santa Lucia sailing from New York August 31, 1934, 
arriving at Port of Los Angeles September 18, 1934. 
12
 1935 Vallejo (CA) City Directory, p. 173. 
13
 Immigration Form 630C for SS Virginia Sailing from New York, NY, October 30, 1937, Arriving at Port of Los 
Angeles, California, November 13, 1937. 
14
 Ibid. 
15
 Register, 1 July 1936 
16
 Immigration Form 630C for SS Virginia Sailing from New York, NY, October 30, 1937, Arriving at Port of Los 
Angeles, California, November 13, 1937. 
17
 New London City Directory 1941, p. 311 and 1943, p. 302. 
18
 BuNav Order 7916 of 2 May 1933 and Report of Compliance. 
19
 Register, 1 July 1936 
20
 Maas, Peter, The Terrible Hours: the man behind the greatest submarine rescue in history, Harper Collins, 1999, 
p.189. 
21
 Maas, p.119. 
22
 Maas, p.129. 
23
 Register, 1 July 1939. 
24
 Maas, p.201. 
25
 http://www.cisatlantic.com/other/squalus.htm  
                                                                                                                                                                                                
26
 BuNav Order dated 14 September 1939, confirming dispatch of 3 September 1939. 
27
 Personal correspondence from John Renard, 12 May 2015. 
28
 Maas, p. 232. 
29
 Register, 1 July 1941 
30
 Maas, p.120. 
31
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_O‐9_%28SS‐70%29  
32
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Falcon_(AM‐28)  
33
 Register, 1 July 1941. 
34
 Tuohy, William, The Bravest Man: Richard O’Kane and the Amazing Adventures of the USS Tang, p. 53 
35
 Deck Log of the USS Dolphin (SS 169) for August and September 1942 
36
 USS Dolphin (SS 169) – Report of Third War Patrol 
37
 USS Gato, Report of Third War Patrol 
38
 Ibid., p.2. 
39
 Ibid., p.2. 
40
 Ibid., p.3‐4. 
41
 Ibid., p.5‐6. 
42
 Ibid. p.6‐7. 
43
 Ibid, p.10 
44
 South Pacific Force ltr A16‐3/(11) Ser 0035 dtd 8 Jan 1943, Subj: USS Gato (SS 212), Third War Patrol, Comments 
On. 
45
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane  
46
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fife,_Jr.  
47
 USS Selfridge War Diary for 26‐28 January 1943 and Passenger list for 26 January 1943. 
48
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Triton_(SS‐201)  
49
 http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss‐triton‐201.htm  
50
 http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss‐triton‐201‐loss.html  
51
 Ibid. 
52
 http://www.combinedfleet.com/CH‐24_t.htm  
53
 Commander, Submarine Division 82 Report of Missing in Action dated 8 April 1943. 
54
 http://www.subsowespac.org/world_war_ii_submarines/uss_triton_ss_201.shtml  
55
 Finding of Death by SecNav dated 10 April 1944 
56
 Certificate of Death by BuMed 
57
 Personal correspondence from John Renard, 12 May 2015. 
58
 Personal correspondence from John Renard, 12 May 2015. 
59
 Personal correspondence from John Renard, 12 May 2015.