As World War II in the Pacific moved into 1944 the submarines of the U.S. Navy continued to extract a heavy toll on Japanese merchant shipping as an increasing number of Balao-class submarines entered service in the Pacific. At the same time, the Pacific submarines, now having sufficient numbers, began to patrol in “submarine groups” – receiving the inevitable nickname, “Wolf Pack.”

On this day in history (1944) A submarine group attacked a Japanese convoy near Bashi Channel south of Formosa, sinking four ships and damaging three others. During the operation, the submarine Parche (SS-384) engaged in a daring predawn surface attack against the convoy, torpedoing four ships. Despite the flames from the burning convoy ships illuminating Parche and drawing fire from the convoy’s escorts, Commander Lawson P. “Red” Ramage Naval Academy Class of 1931) aggressively attacked the enemy shipping. What ensured was a melee by any measure – and unseen in submarine warfare before or since.

Ramage cleared all personnel from topside and the bridge of the surfaced submarine (save one quartermaster), and steamed into the enemy convoy. A surfaced diesel submarine (boat) was faster and more maneuverable than a submerged one. Surface attacks were usual, especially at night.

Parche attacked with torpedoes from forward and stern tubes, firing 19 torpedoes in total. At the same time Parche was receiving enemy fire from desk guns. One fast merchant attempted to ram the submarine and sink her. Ramage avoided the attempt.

Parche sank two enemy ships and badly damaged three others all while dodging an enemy ship about to ram him. For his heroism, Ramage received the Medal of Honor. The citation reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Parche in a predawn attack on a Japanese convoy, 31 July 1944. Boldly penetrating the screen of a heavily escorted convoy, Comdr. Ramage launched a perilous surface attack by delivering a crippling stern shot into a freighter and quickly following up with a series of bow and stern torpedoes to sink the leading tanker and damage the second one. Exposed by the light of bursting flares and bravely defiant of terrific shellfire passing close overhead, he struck again, sinking a transport by two forward reloads. In the mounting fury of fire from the damaged and sinking tanker, he calmly ordered his men below, remaining on the bridge to fight it out with an enemy now disorganized and confused. Swift to act as a fast transport closed in to ram, Comdr. Ramage daringly swung the stern of the speeding Parche as she crossed the bow of the onrushing ship, clearing by less than 50 feet but placing his submarine in a deadly crossfire from escorts on all sides and with the transport dead ahead. Undaunted, he sent 3 smashing “down the throat” bow shots to stop the target, then scored a killing hit as a climax to 46 minutes of violent action with the Parche and her valiant fighting company retiring victorious and unscathed

Following the presentation, Commander Ramage created a certificate for each sailor in his command. The certificate read:

The Captain wishes to emphasize the fact that the Medal of Honor was accepted from the President of the United States as the Nation’s tribute to a fighting ship and her courageous crew. He feels that every officer and man whose loyal cooperation and able assistance contributed to the success of the USS Parche has an equal share in this award which he holds in trust for you. With great pride and respect. Sincerely, L. P. Ramage

Ramage was the first living submarine Medal of Honor recipient during World War II.

Ramage went on to serve a distinguished naval career, retiring in 1969 at the rank of Vice Admiral. The headquarters building of Sub Base New London in the Ramage Building. Ramage passed away in 1990 and is burred along with his wife at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Image credit: USN photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker | PD