THE SILENT SERVICE

[Music] I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M Titus retired welcome aboard we're about to bring you a story based upon an actual incident which occurred during World War two but for reasons which will become obvious we're going to change the names of the submarine and the men who sailed him but this is a story of a submarine that was almost lost because of a man who had too much courage and not till he learned a true meaning of fear could she sail home safely again in May of 1944 the USS starfish was ready to depart from Brisbane Australia on a second war patrol a skipper Lieutenant Commander John Brent was on the bridge all was in readiness with one exception all hands on board have a usual one exception a minute I have to go it's gonna get bent as usual I'll make a Japanese does I mean so far crowdy one of these days so you told your captain that's his girl's car a real nice place this Brisbane I must say it's been very hospitable thank you kindly sir she said you always try to please our allies in time yeah come to think of it you might have done just that I mean Dean come back honey I'm gonna do just that take care of yourself see huh just made it ran yes sir right on time sir what happens if you cut a tooth in one of these days I just wouldn't do that sir I just wouldn't do that cast off all lines that's the way it began a second war patrol of the USS starfish in May of 1944 two weeks out of Brisbane and the South China Sea the next incident took place you know Ralphie boy This Means War it isn't what it's cracked up to be this is our second patrol now we haven't had a bit of action yet I already talked up five kills big deal three freighters to supply ships it's no fun shooting at something that doesn't shoot back and you have to keep it in that Japanese shipping not to take any unnecessary chances that could flame out the starboard bow where the bridge dive dive come on Steve [Music] brand up their kisser Dec 23 2014 25 feet [Music] 26 feet [Music] 27 feet [Music] 29 and secured sir what in places were you waiting for I just wanted to make sure we weren't diving away from a bird sir instead of an airplane cutting fingers we'll take the chance to find out you were right cutting a tent again ran what would happen if that hatchet hung up a few seconds longer take it down - tor - Keaton level off aye aye sir [Music] they never did know whether Martin had sighted an enemy plane or a bird but for the next two days they continue their patrol without incident then on a third day Ben took a radical turn mark 3 1 8 [Music] like a tank destroyer escort let us have a little fun of those babies I you'll get it silently determinedly the starfish moved in on her target it was their first real taste of the threat of impending enemy attack a crew sweated out the approach all that is with the exception of Steve ran a stop [Music] fire [Music] [Music] take it down emergency break for depth charge I'd sure like to get a shot of him pipe down Steve I just hate to go deep without taking a crack at him that's all and I just speak [Music] starfish dope to maximum depth leveled off and reduced speed to run as silently as possible the enemy was determined in today the depth charge pattern efficient deadly infra long [Music] then finally satisfied that he completed his job the Japanese destroyer moved away but the starfish and it's been continued to sweat it out not yet daring to move not yet daring to surface what is it getting a little too rough for you Ralphie boy no I'm just thinking of marrying your wife Rafi this is no time to think about the women fellas got enough to do just worrying about himself could be wrong it's the same thing that made you shy and that speck in the clouds the other day remember huh and that's how come you're jittery now look kid if you don't cut it out you're gonna end up being just plain scared I am why I want to be stuck at the bottom of the China Sea for the rest of eternity what does kid you just gotta figure the other guy is gonna get it that's you know I don't know am I thinking of marrying not want to take chances some cockeyed way can I help me be a little afraid don't like I'm well part of the rest of these guys might feel that way too man you kind of lost me on that one haven't you ever been afraid no might be better if you had a man who isn't a little scared can get careless ran he can cut it a little too thin Arnie's got the watch memory service me and Martin sir all right let's take her up my quick touch question what happens over the hatch [Music] look out to the bridge Finnegan is the Steve you didn't have much of a chance to check around it's plenty overcast kid it doesn't take much time to see if anything's closed [Music] [Applause] how is he cut you won't have to worry about being afraid anymore why did you do it Rafi why [Music] [Music] [Laughter] [Music] why about the boy why [Music] okay you got some on your mind Steve yes ahem look why did he do it Kevin Martin I can't figure it out he was scared he wanted to get home to his wife he could have got down through that hatch but he didn't do it why well you'll have to come up with the answer to that one yourself Steve you better do it soon you call those lookouts to the bridge pretty fast maybe you were cutting it too close again you know how overcast it was captain I said maybe I don't really know but one thing I do know you're not grown up enough to know what fear is my book that means you don't know your responsibility to others without that you're no Submariner sorry Steve but I'm gonna recommend you transfer on submarines before the next Patrol [Music] sir I'd like to get permission from you to get married all right good luck to you thank you sir I'd also like to ask another favor of you if you don't mind what's that well I'd like to be the first man from the starfish to talk with Ralph Martin's Widow sir they lived right here in Brisbane permission granted thank you sir you might not find me in deep and practically ready to leave see I'm just about cracked it was forced upon me image of did I'm sorry if I interrupted you Mary I just wanted to tell you about Rob it was okay nice introducing Steve I think I have everything he's a furnished dictionary that's and I moved in here right after honeymoon well did sometimes Hart remember what belongs to the owner not belongs to oneself Mary I hope I made myself clear when I told you how very sorry I am about your husband don't give it a second thought we all know what war is we have to learn to expect things like I didn't make myself clear at all look the only thing I can tell you is that your husband was just about the bravest man I've ever known but naturally I'm delighted to hear that of course I always knew it too bad friend sir agent Bering I guess every wife likes to believe that about her husband but I always knew it too back no he wasn't brave Steve he was just a mess I remember how frightened I was not for he said and didn't took me in his arms tell me how frightened he was to Mary he was just but you know something Steve we found strength and courage out of knowing that we were both afraid and no could do what had to be done I think that's why Raph didn't come home to me I think that's where a lot of men won't come home because of that marry many others will you see there's something about sharing fear that gives you the courage to be brave you know that made Rauh able to do what he did that's right and I know it's given me the courage to do what I have to do from now she'll be good enough [Music] in August of 1944 the USS starfish made ready to shove off on a third wall control you gotta take real good care yourself here Dean you will come back I'm sure gonna try honey I figured now I got a real good reason to [Music] I'm sorry your recommendation for my transfer didn't go through a time captain I didn't make it what I'm thinking about you talked to a couple of women women your wife Martin's Widow captain I don't let's put it this way welcome aboard steam garfish got underway for a third walk Patrol [Music] he had orders to join a wolf pack of submarines patrolling the South China Sea Wolfpac wreak havoc with japan's supply and communication line [Music] Japanese struck back our fishes in town [Music] once again the starfish took refuge on the bottom of the sea until the fury above passed over all right then we're gonna have to disturb this little rest of yours the batteries are gettin low let's take her up I've got to watch when we service [Music] bring the hatch fresh it what happens all right open [Music] [Music] look after the bridge [Music] where the bridge little bridge nine-nine [Music] 23 feet 24 feet 25 feet 26 feet and starboard bass 75 feet no chance please doctor [Music] Klose from topside savers I'm past 90 feet show that soon what about [Music] all compartments report Pump Rooms led it to the overhead all other compartments secure 190 feet leveling off all ahead one-third pumps motors panels electrical gear all footed up starfish is still sound we can hand operated safely back to Brisbane one thing I know Steve did for Martin's Widow I guess now I can do for Steve [Music] I'll be back in a moment and there you have it the story of the USS starfish and the man who enabled her to come home because he had finally learned the meaning of fear and the responsibility a man has to his shipmates the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously to the widow of the man we've called a tenant Steve ran but there is a deeper a greater meaning to this story than the metal it has to do with the hearts of men with the countless true values of living that'll learn when survival itself is in the balance thanks for being with us I hope you will join us again when we bring you another Atlantic story about the silent service [Music] Oh