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On Eternal Patrol #3 PDF Print E-mail

On Eternal Patrol

William Christopher Hickey, Jr.

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William Christopher Hickey, Jr., was born on March 23, 1923, in Providence, Rhode Island.  After joining the Navy, he endured boot camp and
speciality school, and served as a Machinist's Mate, Second Class, aboard the submarine USS Growler (SS-215).  

Growler was lost in a depth-charge attack in the South China Sea on November 4, 1944.

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Secrets of the Sub

Submarine Rescues

Submarine Rescues

A critical task performed by the US submarine force during World War II, was the rescuing of downed pilots and air crews; They were so efficient at it, that they rescued 520 US airmen from the Pacific Ocean waters. One of those rescued, went on to become President of the United States.

Rescueing George H. W. Bush

Former US President George H. W. Bush Sr. He was rescued by the USS Finback after being shot down while he was on an air strike mission over Chichi Shima in the Bonin Islands during 2 September 1944.

USS Tang Group Photo

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard H. O'Kane (center), poses with the twenty-two aircrewmen that Tang rescued off Truk during the carrier air raids there on 29 April-1 May 1944. The photograph was taken upon Tang's return to Pearl Harbor from her second war patrol, in May 1944.