USS Sealion (SS-315)-- Part 3: The First Two War Patrols

FIRST WAR PATROL

The Sealion's First War Patrol began on June 8, 1944.  While operating around Korea, Japan and northeastern China, it survived repeated depth charge attacks and sank at least five ships, one of them with its deck gun.

SECOND WAR PATROL

The Second War Patrol began on August 17, 1944,  and saw it operating in the South China Sea along with the U.S. subs Growler (SS-215) and Pampanito (SS-383).  The subs attacked a Japanese convoy on August 31, during which the Sealion survived a hail of gunfire to heavily damage a tanker and sink a minelayer.

On September 12, the three American subs attacked another convoy near the Taiwan Strait, sinking four ships and two escorts.  The Sealion again took gunfire from Japanese ships while on the surface.

One of those ships was transporting British and Australian prisoners.  Days later, upon learning there were survivors in the water, the Sealion returned and picked up 54 survivors., four of whom died before reaching the U.S. hospital in Saipan.

--GreGen