The Depths of Courage: American Submariners at War with Japan, 1941-1945

by Flint Whitlock, Ron Smith, Albert Konetzni (Foreword)

Draws on the personal reminiscences and experiences of submariners to document the heroic accomplishments of the U.S. Navy's Submarine Force, which, in the wake of the disaster at Pearl Harbor, became one of the few things that stood between the shattered U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Japanese Navy.

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

4328 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2007

About the author

As an art major, Flint Whitlock graduated from the University of Illinois in 1964 with a degree in Advertising Design, but has always been as much a writer as an artist. His love for military history began at an early age—fueled by his father, James, who served with the famed 10th Mountain Division in World War II. Flint also had an uncle who was a military policeman with the 1st Infantry Division and another uncle who served with the Navy in the Pacific.

Wanting to serve his country, Flint was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Commission Training Program and entered active duty in December 1964. After attending the basic Air Defense Artillery officers' course at Fort Bliss, Texas, Flint earned his jump wings at Airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then posted to a Nike Hercules battery in Baumholder, Germany. After two years in ADA, he received a branch transfer to the Quartermaster Corps and spent an additional year with the Supply and Maintenance Agency in Zweibruecken, Germany, where he was promoted to captain.


In 1968, Flint was transferred to South Vietnam, arriving one day before the Tet Offensive in January, 1968. He served for six months as a supply specialist at 1st Logistical Command Headquarters at Long Binh, northeast of Saigon, before being transferred to the 14th Inventory Control Center at the same post. He returned to the States in 1969 and spent a year with the 5th Infantry Division Supply and Maintenance Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado, before resigning his commission and returning to civilian life.

After a stint as the Public Relations Director for the Denver Dynamos of the now-defunct North American Soccer League, he served as a copywriter, art director, and creative director for several major Colorado advertising agencies. While holding down these positions, he also continued to paint and write, becoming a locally prominent artist of the “photo-realist” genre. His attention to visual detail also translated to the written word, as he sought to convey the emotional and physical aspects of the soldier's experience.

To heighten his understanding of, and appreciation for, what the World War II combat soldier went through, he became involved in World War II re-enactment groups, in which he has been active for over 20 years. As a tribute to his father, he founded the 10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group in 1983 (www.tenthmountain.org). He is also a member of the 10th Mountain Division Foundation Board of Directors and the 10th Mountain Division Resource Center Advisory Committee.

Flint Whitlock lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Dr. Mary Ann Watson, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Metropolitan State College of Denver. They have three grown children: Gillian Lee Whitlock, an actress and make-up artist in Hollywood; Suki Montgomery, a psychologist and member of the counseling staff at Ithaca (NY) College; and Matthew Montgomery, an anesthesiologist in Denver. To keep in shape, Flint skis, referees soccer, and plays tennis.

Reviews

[Ken Bickley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely well-written and researched book. Many of the younger generations may not realize that America came perilously close to losing World War II after the near-destruction of the Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. The two remaining aircraft carriers had to be preserved until an offensive force could be assembled. Thus, to quote commanding Admiral Chester Nimitz: "During the dark early months of WWII, it was only the tiny American submarine force that held off the Japanese empire and enabled our fleets to replace their losses and repair their wounds. The spirit and courage of the Submarine Force will never be forgotten." Of course, with the passing of time, they HAVE been forgotten. "The Depths of Courage" reminds us of that era, and of the fact that all submarine crewmen were volunteers, and that about one-fourth of them died at their stations or in Japanese prison camps. Those who served in the subs did so in almost unbearable conditions of crowded, un-air-conditioned boats armed with notoriously unreliable torpedoes. This book is a must-read.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book follows a few Navy sailors, including the co-author, and relates the experiences of several submarines during WWII. It discusses the thoughts of the sailors -- why they wanted to be on a submarine, what it was like being on one during the boring voyage to or from their stations, dealing with the commander's drills, being depth-bombed, the anxiety of getting out of harms way and the bliss of some shore leave.

Part of the book explores the difficulties of American POWs in Japan. Several submarine crew were included in that group.

It was nice to read about sailors' experiences aboard a submarine trying to fight for what their country wanted. Heroes all.

[Rodney J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Histories Worth Reading

The personal and often terrifying stories of submariners are worth reading. The author does an admirable job of quoting and retelling these veteran’s true stories, including a lot of day-to-day details that escape the larger histories of WWII in the Pacific. The real life experience of these men comes into focus.

The only weakness in the book is a sometimes thin and patchy description of the larger battles and campaigns that surrounded the submarine service. Regardless, this failing can be over looked to immerse oneself into the heroic personal narratives that truly illuminate these remarkable men of the US Navy Submarine Service in WWII.

[Bill Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. Follows along the same path as many other WW2 submarine history. I bit of in depth of a couple of people that were on the Seal.

All in all. Very satisfying book. Definitely one I will recommend to other WW2 navy readers.

[Matthew · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disopointed with the book. The book covers 1/3 of the sub war. If you really, really want to know about amerincan submarines at war with Japan read Silent Victory by Clay Blair ( I wish I had)!!!

[Marcus Shin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book The Depths of Courage by Flint Whitlock tells the story of how the Japanese and American war started when both nations use torpedoes and submarines to fight. Talks about people's backgrounds on how the situation was during this time of the war and what you had to do while you were in the Marines. Overall, I thought the book was long to read but had some good parts to it. The book talks about the people like the Admirals, upper class positions or grunts and a couple of citizens. One thing I liked about the book was how America started to use submarines because Japan had submarines and America used torpedoes. My least favorite part was when the book talks about other peoples situations in the battlefield. I saw a few twists and turns but the most obvious part was the ending after the Japanese and American submarine war was finished.

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed by this book. The author bounces around in his narration quite a bit, and at times he seems distracted by various land battles. The parts which chronicle the co-author's experiences aboard a submarine are very interesting, and there are some very good personal recollections from other submariners as well. However, the book really doesn't give any new information to the reader unless this is their first book on World War II submarine warfare. Add in various factual inaccuracies and an occasionally messed up timeline and you have a book which comes up short. It seems as if the author tried to do too much in too short of a space.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right now I'm on a "history of the US Navy" tear.

This fits my profile for readable histories: events are tied together in a understandable sequence, it does not get drawn into a rabbit hole of detail and we meet a number of the sailors who spent the war on submarines and follow their stories. The voice (if I may call it that) which recounts some of the patrols is third person yet told from the viewpoint of a participant.

My only negative comment is the tendency to reference web sites. These come and go, so they will not stand the test of time.

[LaMar Stellfox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, it was extremely interesting and highly entertaining. Part WWII history, part Submariner history, and part oral history. I enjoyed it from front to back and recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn about the Submarine Service's contribution to the defeat of the Empire of Japan.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story of submarine warfare, predominantly in the South Pacific. Includes a lot of the history of the war as well as the submarine.

[Scott Conn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of those books that you can't put down or, fathom how and where a man can find the strength and courage to continue under unbelievable hardships.

[Derk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars. Mostly telling the stories of a few enlisted men's experiences serving on US Subs during WW2. Some context surrounds the tales, but not enough to gain much knowledge of the issues and consequences of the overall submarine frceof the period.