The Silent Service in World War II: The Story of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force in the Words of the Men Who Lived It

by Edward Monroe-Jones (Editor), Michael Green

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the U.S. Navy had a total of 111 submarines. However, this fleet was not nearly as impressive as the number suggests. It was mostly a collection of aging boats from the late teens and early twenties, with only a few of the newer, more modern Gato-class boats. Fortunately, with the war in Europe was already two years old and friction with Japan ever-increasing, help from what would become known as the Silent Service in the Pacific was on the way: there were 73 of the new fleet submarines under construction.

The Silent Service in World War II tells the story of America’s intrepid underwater warriors in the words of the men who lived the war in the Pacific against Japan. The enemy had already begun to deploy advanced boats, but the U.S. was soon able to match them. By 1943 the new Gato-class boats were making a difference, carrying the war not just to the Japanese Imperial Navy, but to the vital merchant fleet that carried the vast array of materiel needed to keep the land of the Rising Sun afloat.

As the war progressed, American success in the Solomons, starting with Guadalcanal, began to constrict the Japanese sea lanes, and operating singly or in wolfpacks they were able to press their attacks on convoys operating beyond the range of our airpower, making daring forays even into the home waters of Japan itself in the quest for ever more elusive targets. Also taking on Japanese warships, as well as rescuing downed airmen (such as the grateful first President Bush), U.S. submarines made an enormous contribution to our war against Japan.

This book takes you through the war as you learn what it was like to serve on submarines in combat, the exhilaration of a successful attack, and the terror of being depth-charged. And aside from enemy action, the sea itself could prove to be an extremely hostile environment as many of these stories attest. From early war patrols in obsolescent, unreliable S-boats to new, modern fleet submarines roving the Pacific, the forty-six stories in this anthology give you a full understanding of what it was like to be a U.S. Navy submariner in combat.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military Fiction, Military History, War, Reference

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of WWII experiences by those that served on or were rescued by the US Navy Submarine forces.

Why I started this book: Another title leaving Audible that I was interested in.

Why I finished it: Fascinating to hear all these sea stories and WWII experiences that I had never heard before. I appreciated that they included accounts from pilots and a nurse that were rescued by US submarines, as their perspective was great. Arranged chronologically, it was easy to follow and enjoyable to listen to.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as the heart in these gentlemen comes jumping off almost every page. US Submariners were all volunteers, and formed an elite service in WWI, with the casualties to show for their dangerous but successful campaigns. After reading a few Officer and Commander memoirs, getting the other ranks' opinions is also good- and this book does not disappoint- as they tend to show a different side to the war. There are some really harrowing tales of Escape and Evasion, POWs, and unsuccessful voyages But also a lot of stories of success or quirky crewmates Edward Monroe Jones and Michael Green, two writers on Naval topics do a great job of keeping the stories coming and varying the tone. Once I was stuck in, I raced through the book and was sorry to see it end- I hope they do a Cold War sequel...

The stories from the early US war tend to focus on men trying to rise above bad equipment, as the US was caught with some inferior WWI and interwar Subs in 1941. The later stories show how well the Arsenal of Democracy worked- as the function of the ships is a given, and the sailors know they crew the latest and greatest technology. But all through the book and the war it covers- you connect to the humanity of living below the waves in a metal cigar tube. The focus on getting along- being a good teammate, and doing your bit when action stations was rung should resonate with any person who's been on a team or a task force- but I am still thankful these lads did it and I do not have to. It does take a special type of person to be totally comfortable below the waves- and you really enjoy being introduced to some of them here.

There are a few adult themes, and a little bit of graphic injury description, so this is a book for the Junior Reader of about 14/15 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast it's a mixed bag. The Gamer does not really get that many hunt+Kill scenarios- more background information to give you a feel for the period and the guys who lived it. The Modeler gets a lot of great diorama and build ideas- how life was lived aboard and below. the Military Enthusiast, as usual gets the most out of this- a respite from the torrent of officer memoirs- and a look at the way the other ranks lived. I think its a clear recommend from me.

[Fred M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book gets better as you get into more of the recollections

This book has 46 chapters. Each chapter contains a relatively short remembrance by a submariner of one of his WW II experiences. The chapters are organized chronologically. There was no basic theme or focus to this collection of stories. They appeared to simply be a collection of stories the author found interesting. I found them interesting, too.

The initial chapters (which took place very early in WW II) were not that exciting. That was because, when we (the USA) were first drawn into WW II, a number of our submarines were obsolete WW I era submarines. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, those early chapters were primarily focused on trying to go to sea with equipment that was constantly breaking down. Once the chapters stopped talking about new sailors going to sea in old submarines, the book’s stories were more what I expected (and more what I was interested in reading).

Bottom Line: Simply a miscellaneous collection of submariners’ experiences during WW II. More interesting than exciting, but still worthwhile.

Note: More than the typical number of Kindle text oddities (e.g., text saying “han dle” instead of “handle”).

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real stories, real events, Real Heros

I'm retired Army, therefore, have no experience with submarines. I could, however, relate to the fear, exhilaration, call to duty and sacrifice. The final story, hit home. I was in an Armored unit, in Germany, when the Berlin wall crumbled. Like the old Chief, we knew change was coming. We were out of a job; almost. To all who participated in the events related here, you have my respect and admiration.

[Jason Madden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but it took a while for me to get into it. There is no plot but many excerpts and clips that are pieced together in a date ordering.

After reading I did feel like I got a good feel for day to day life on a sub, but I did not get a great feel for the impact of the sub programs during the war besides the individual bits and pieces provided in the short memories..

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story about submarines in the US Navy in World War II. The author rather then telling the story by citing facts and stats let's the veterans tell their own stories. Series of vignettes put together that helps tell how the war changed over the years where a number of vets tell about their experiences and memories beneath the surface.

[james e jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great change of pace

Rather than write a book about one submarine, this book is multiple chapters, each dedicated to a different ship, and each provided by interviews of a sailor from that ship. It gives a great perspective of the different experiences and perspectives experienced by different crews. I thoroughly enjoyed it…

[David White · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn true stories of our brave submariners in WW II, this is a great resource!

A compilation of oral histories by the men who took the war to Japan at great risk. These touching stories provide an important insight into submarine operations.

[Dale J Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Respect

Great read. Personal views of some of the Submariner who contributed to the victory for the war in the Pacific.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of first-hand accounts of the various aspects of submarine service during World War II.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of stories told by sailors assigned to submarines during WWII.

[R B · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the CSS Hunley to the last war patrol of WW II those men who climbed down the hatch of a submarine were either the craziest or the bravest men who ever drew a breath.

[Larry Weldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories

Many first person stories by many different submariners telling their stories of action in the Pacific during WW2 - very informative and entertaining.

[Michael Delaware · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection of real stories from the men who lived them in WWII.

[Douglas C. Jett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief looks into everyday life aboard WW2 submariners as told by those who lived them. Not a typical read, but very insightful.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of first person accounts

[Rodney Clem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well told tale by those that were there, this book covers the multitude of stories from different perspectives. Entertaining in nature and written by those who served in the silent service.

[Mark Curless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very god book well written

Loved it was hard to put down my favorite time period in history. Anything about ww2 history reading is my favorite.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good naval sub story
After being in the Navy
It seemed very true to life
Enjoyed

[Bennett Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

46 first-hand accounts of American submarine warfare in the Pacific arranged chronologically.

[David Eppenstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, this book suffered from poor editing. There were numerous misspellings, missing words, and poor syntax that made reading difficult at times. Beyond that the book is a collection of stories from former WWII submariners. While it gives the reader a true sense of what life on a sub was like you come away feeling they had more to fear from their boats and the errors of their shipmates than they did from the enemy. I choose not to believe that and prefer to think the writing was to blame for this conclusion.

[7$MartyQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Many Brave Men

It had to be something like going through shell to have been one of the brave men on America's submarines during the second World War. Some of these stories almost make light of what these brave guys lived through. To me it's no wonder they we called "The Greatest Generation."

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about the risks, hardships, and perseverance of men in the submarine service during the second world war. The personal stories of veterans from the period really make this a sort of time piece of what it was like. Generally history books are limited to statistics and accepted factual information. The inclusion of personal experiences make this a superior book.

[Paul E. Unterborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bonds we made with our fellow servicemen.

I liked the intensity of knowing your boat down to the last detail. What was learned was not forgotten. It saved their lives. I th km?
loyalty to each and everyone thar crewed these boats is almost impossible to explain.

[Levon · Rating 2 out of 5]

While an overall good read and informative account based on people who actually lived an understated portion of the Pacific War, the book itself suffers from sub-par editing.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of essays/remembrances of the men who served in the Silent Service throughout World War II.

[Jim Mackowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first hand account of individual action by submariners in WWII