America’s Best Sub Commander in the Pacific War

America’s best sub commander in the Pacific War

The Pacific War of the World War II was conducted in extensive oceans, far islands, and the cruel waters. Although the popular imagination is usually overwhelmed by aircraft carriers and battleships, submarines have strangulated the Japanese war economy in an effective and quiet way. This undersea war was the focus of the most accomplished sub commander by America during the Pacific War who transformed the way the navy warfare was fought due to his leadership, innovation, and determination.

This paper discusses the greatest submarine commander of America, the significance of submarines in the Pacific and how personal leadership on the sea led to the defeat of Japan. America’s best sub commander in the Pacific War

The importance of the submarines during the Pacific War is critical.

By the advent of World War II when the United States entered it following the Pearl Harbor attack, its surface force was badly crippled. Submarines were soon one of the few offensive means that could be used to fight back Japan.

American submarines had the mission to:

Sabotaging Japan supply chains.

Merchant shipping and tankers sinking.

Gathering intelligence

Rescuing downed airmen

Even though submarines constituted less than two percent of the U.S. Navy force, they had destroyed more than 55 percent of Japanese shipping by the time the war was over.

It was not a mere coincidence that this success took place, but it was preconditioned by the outstanding leaders, who rapidly adjusted to the severe and changing battlefield.

Historical Problems that U.S. Submarine Commanders Face.

During the beginning of the Pacific War, the U.S. submarine forces were severely experiencing issues. Poor torpedo quality, defensive strategy and inflexible command systems all served to reduce initial efficiency.

There was a tendency among submarine commanders to jeopardize their career by reporting a failure of their torpedos or ignoring unnecessarily safe orders. It was only the most tenacious leaders who made aggressive change.

It is here, that the most sub commander in the Pacific War in America made a name himself, not only by the number of sinkings, but by his leadership and innovation.

What Shall Make a Great Submarine Commander?

Sea war implied a special set of skills. An effective leader must have been able to combine aggressiveness with patience, technical skills with intuition and discipline with creativity.

Key qualities included:

Outstanding situational awareness.

Decision-making under the most intense pressure.

Tactical flexibility

Trust in crew and officers

Ready to go against dogma.

All these factors and more were represented by the best submarine commanders of America.

Dudley Mush Morton: A Mythical Person.

Discussing the best sub commander of America in the Pacific War, there is one name that is always on the first place list- Captain of USS Wahoo, a commander by title Dudley, better known as Mush Morton.

Morton revolutionized the submarine warfare with his aggressive approach, unending chase of the enemy vessels and his denial of the classical restrictions.

He made the Wahoo one of the most feared pacific submarines under his command.

USS Wahoo and a New Style of War.

In the opinion of Morton, submarines ought to strike with boldness even when in the waters that were densely defended. He did not believe in being very cautious and instead focused on surprise, speed and being repeated.

The most significant inventions during Morton were:

Night surface attacks

Even enemy harbor penetration.

There are frequent attacks on the same patrol.

Violent seeking of escorts.

These maneuvers were very effective and were quickly adapted throughout the submarine force.

Record Breaking Success

In the process, Morton and the Wahoo sunk more than 20 enemy vessels including the vital troop transports and supply ships, during a total of seven patrols.

Every defeat caused the Japanese government to lose a chance to sustain its forces in war by taking away its fuel, ammunition and reinforcements.

Morton was successful and he inspired the next generation of submarine commanders as well as had a direct impact on the U.S Navy doctrine.

Beneath the Waves: Leadership.

The leadership style that Morton had was very demanding and highly respected. He had trust in his officers, promoted initiative and created the culture of accountability.

Life on a submarine was suffocating, hazardous and tiring. Morton realized that tactics were not as important as morale.

His crews had faith in him to the fullest degree a determining element in prolonged fighting efficiency.

The Human Cost of Aggression

There was the danger of aggressive submarine warfare. In October 1943 the USS Wahoo was sunk in a patrol in the Sea of Japan, presumably by the Japanese aircraft.

Morton and his whole crew were murdered. His assassination was a crushing blow to the underwater force.

Yet his legacy endured. At the end of the war, the strategies that he invented were the norm.

Other America’s best sub Contender.

Morton is said to be the best sub commander that America had in the Pacific War, but there are other commanders who succeeded remarkably.

Notable figures include:

Richard O’Kane (USS Tang) –Top U.S. submarine commander

Eugene Fluckey (USS Barb) – Fluckey was famous because of raids on shores.

Slade Cutter (USS Seahorse) – one of the best sinkers of enemy tonnage.

They all had their own strengths but were all affected by the aggressive doctrine that Morton aided in the development of.

How Pacific War was won by Submarine Commanders.

The strategic effect of the submarine warfare was catastrophic to the Japanese. By 1945:

Raw materials were being starved in Japanese industry.

Reinforcement and supply of troops was impossible.

Shortage of fuel paralyzed the naval and air operations.

This was through a small allocation of resources and severe personal endeavor by submarine commanders.

The victory of the sea battle reduced the duration of the war and rescued many lives of the Allies.

Innovation Under Pressure

Submarine commanders of America were creators and inventors. They collaborated with engineers to correct faulty torpedoes and enhanced fire control mechanism.

They also pioneered:

Wolfpack-style coordination

Improved sonar tactics

Cutting edge damage control measures.

Their flexibility has become an example of leadership in the present-day navy.

Recognition and Legacy

A lot of submarine commanders were awarded by Navy Cross, Silver Star and Medal of Honor. However decades ago their efforts were still in the shadow of more noticeable naval battles.

Nowadays historians begin to attribute the status of submariners as one of the most decisive branches of World War II.

Modern American Navy doctrine and training is the continuation of the legacy of the best sub commander of the Pacific War.

Lessons of the best Sub commander in the pacific war of America.

The submarine battle has produced lessons that will last forever:

Initiative drives success

Pressure enhances innovation.

Leadership is important on all levels.

Strategic impact can be done by small forces.

These teachings have a lot to do with naval warfare.

Why This History Still Matters.

In the era of high technology and international rivalry, submarine warfare is still a part of the strategic basis of the navy.

World war II submarine leaders are still studied by modern commanders to learn how to make decisions in the high risk and information limited setting.

Their experiences are striking and still quite applicable.

Conclusion

The accounts of the great U.S. sub commander of the Pacific War can be described as the account of bravery, creativity and hard work. Submarine commanders conducted an underground war, which was decisive, and was not observable.

They grounded modern naval warfare forever by crippling the fighting capabilities of Japan through the cunning strategy and leadership boldness.