| Navy | The US Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | Balao |
| Pennant | 308 |
| Built by | Portsmouth Navy Yard (Kittery, Maine, U.S.A.) |
| Ordered | |
| Laid down | 9 Dec 1942 |
| Launched | 10 Mar 1943 |
| Commissioned | 16 Jul 1943 |
| End service | 29 Apr 1946 |
| Loss position | |
| History | Decommissioned 29 April 1946. |
Commands listed for USS Apogon (308)
Please note that we're still working on this section.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Lt.Cdr. Walter Paul Schoeni, USN | 16 Jul 1943 | 29 Aug 1944 |
| 2 | Lt.Cdr. Arthur Caswell House, Jr., USN | 29 Aug 1944 | 2 Sep 1945 |
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Noteable events involving Apogon include:
9 Aug 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) begins a period of trials and training in the Portsmouth, Newport, New London Area.
13 Sep 1943
With her initial trials and training completed USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs New London bound for the Panama Canal Zone.
21 Sep 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) arrives at Coco Solo.
25 Sep 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) transits the Panama Canal.
26 Sep 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs Balboa bound for Pearl Harbour.
11 Oct 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) arrives at Pearl Harbour. Voyage repairs were made during 11 to 15 October. On 16 October she commenced final training lasting till 31 October.
3 Nov 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She is ordered to patrol the shipping lanes between Truk and Kwajalein.
5 Nov 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) refuels at Johnston Island.
13 Nov 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) enters her patrol area.
14 Nov 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) makes a torpedo attack on a Japanese convoy North-East of Truk in position 08º12'N, 154º10'E. All torpedoes fired missed their targets.
(All times zone L, -11)
1004 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 058 degrees. Commenced approach.
1032 hours - Identified the targets as two merchant vessels. The were zig zagging on courses between 180 and 260 degrees.
1059 hours - Sighted a Fubuki-class destroyer patrolling astern and on the quarters of the two merchant vessels.
1127 hours - Fired 6 torpedoes, three at each of the merchant vessels, thought to be of 7000 and 5200 tons. Range was 2100 and 2800 yards. Shortly after firing the leading merchant vessel (7000 tons) was seen to turn away and the destroyer closed so the torpedo wakes must have been sighted. Went deep.
1130 hours - Heard a torpedo explosion, possibly a hit on the second, smaller, merchant vessel.
1131 hours - The destroyer dropped the first pattern of depth charges (7 or 8). It was not close.
1140 hours - The destroyer dropped the second pattern of depth charges (8). They were closer than the first pattern.
1148 hours - The destroyer dropped the third pattern of depth charges, this pattern was even closer. The destroyer continued to make runs overhead but did not drop more depth charges.
1428 hours - Came to periscope depth. Sighted the destroyer bearing 180 degrees, range about 6 nautical miles.
1455 hours - The destroyer was now out of sight.
1903 hours - Surfaced and sent a contact report. (see map)
25 Nov 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) attacks a Japanese merchant vessel with 3 torpedoes about 30 nautical miles East-North-East of Truk in position 07º38'N, 152º39'E. A hit is claimed.
(All times zone L, -11)
0407 hours - SJ Radar contact bearing 054 degrees, range 20300 yards. From range and size of the pip concluded that this must be a large target. Commenced approach.
0430 hours - Picked up the sound of heavy screws and one set of light fast screws. Target was now bearing 044 degrees, range 8500 yards, speed 9.5 knots. Course was between 250 and 300 degrees and the target was zig zagging.
0435 hours - Sighted smoke and then the target.
0450 hours - Fired 3 torpedoes at the target, now seen to be a 2500 tons merchant vessel. Range was 1800 yards.
0452 hours - Saw one of the torpedoes hit about 40 feet inside the bow of the target. Saw a red glow followed by a large cloud of grey smoke. The target was seen to swing about 100 degrees to starboard. The sound picked up high speed screws verified by radar at a range of 3000 yards. The escort had evidently been on the opposite side of the target. Turned away and made off at speed on all 4 engines.
0455 hours - Heard 6 explosions, most likely depth charges.
0506 hours - Target was now at 9000 yards bearing 310 degrees. She was still smoking but another attack was not possible due to the proximity of Truk and approaching daylight.
(see map)
4 Dec 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) torpedoes and sinks the Japanse auxiliary gunboat Daido Maru (2962 GRT, built 1935) about 90 nautical miles north-east of Ponape in position 08º15'N, 159º06'E.
(All times zone L, -11)
1611 hours - SJ radar picked up a ship in the middle of a rain squall. Range 18200 yards, bearing 255 degrees.
1613 hours - Sighted a ship in the rain squall.
1615 hours - Dived and commenced approach.
1630 hours - Sighted masts bearing 260 degrees.
1650 hours - Sighted 2 merchant vessels both of about 3000 tons.
1722 hours - Sighted escort vessel patrolling astern and on quarters of the merchants.
1745 hours - Fired 3 torpedoes at the leading merchant vessel thought to be a naval auxiliary. Range was 1150 yards. Heard and saw 2 hits. The first hit seemed to blow off the stern, the second hit was near the foremast. Heard the escort speed up so went deep. The target was heard to sink.
1751 hours - Heard the first of a series of 16 depth charges being dropped. None were close.
1827 hours - The last depth charge was dropped.
1920 hours - Returned to 35 feet and did a radar sweep. Nothing in sight. Stayed submerged while reloading the torpedo tubes.
2100 hours - Surfaced.
In the patrol report of Apogon Lt.Cdr. Schoeni identifies this target as Daido Maru in which he was quite correct. (see map)
13 Dec 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs her patrol area for Midway.
18 Dec 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) ends her 1st war patrol at Midway. She commenced refit by USS Bushnell.
24 Dec 1943
While refitting at Midway after her 1st was patrol USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) is damaged when another vessel came alongside in rough weather. She had to be docked to repair damage to her port propellor, therefore she had to proceed to Pearl Harbour.
26 Dec 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs Midway for Pearl Harbour.
31 Dec 1943
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) arrives at Pearl Harbour. She commenced refit and repairs the next day.
15 Jan 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs Pearl Harbor for her 2nd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Mariana Islands area.
19 Jan 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) arrives off Midway. Due to the rough weather she is unable to enter the harbour. The next day shows no improvement in the weather so Lt.Cdr. Schoeni decided to proceed to the patrol area without topping off with fuel and provisions.
30 Jan 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) arrives in her patrol area off Saipan.
1 Feb 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) attacks a Japanese convoy about 60 nautical miles East-South-East of Saipan in position 14º40'N, 146º42'E. Two ships are claimed sunk. Nothing can be found in Japanese records substantiating this claim.
(All times are zone K, -10)
1907 hours (31 January) - SJ Radar contact bearing 317 hours, range 28000 yards. It was first thought to be land but it developed into a 6 ship convoy on a base course of 115 degrees. As the moon was bright decided to track the convoy from about 16000 yards.
0005 hours (1 February) - The moon had set now and rain squalls made a dark night. Went to battle stations and commenced approach. The convoy was observed to be made up of 2 columns of 3 ships each. There were 3 escorts present.
0120 hours - Commenced approach from the port bow. The leading ship of the port column was observed to be a large ship. It was the plan to fire 3 torpedoes at the leading ship, 3 at the second, then swing round and fire 2 stern torpedoes at any target available.
0146 hours - In position 14º40'N, 146º42'E fired 3 torpedoes at the leading ship of the port column. Range was 2600 yards. Shortly before firing the convoy had zigged towards so Apogon had to retire at speed as not to be sighted.
0147 hours - The first torpedo was seen to hit the target resulting in a tremendous explosion. Apogon meanwhile passed 1000 yards ahead of the port escort. Swung around to put the second target astern.
0153 hours - Fired 4 stern torpedoes at the second ship of the port column. Range was 2700 yards. Apogon now went to flank speed to clear the area. One of the escorts dropped 14 depth charges in Apogons wake. 3 Minutes after firing the target fired a red flare. About 20 minutes later a tremendous explosion was seen in the area of this target.
0200 hours - One of the lookouts reported that the stern of the first target was sticking out of the water at a sharp angle. Lt.Cdr. Schoeni decided to track the convoy for a while and to attack submerged at dawn.
0530 hours - Dived and commenced approach.
0620 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 277 degrees.
0644 hours - Sighted 3 merchant vessels and 3 escorts.
0730 hours - The leading escort was seen to hoist a 2 letter signal and gave zero angle on the bow. It appeared we had been sighted. Range was 2000 yards. Prepared 3 torpedoes for a down the throat shot on this escort, thought to be an Otori class torpedo boat.
0732 hours - Raised the periscope to find out that nothing could be seen due to the rain. When the rain cleared 10 minutes later it was seen that the convoy had turned away. The escort was seen 4000 yards away and was no longer in contact. (see map)
29 Feb 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs her patrol area.
9 Mar 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) ends her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.
15 Mar 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) is docked at Pearl Harbour.
19 Mar 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) is undocked.
2 Apr 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs Pearl Harbor for her 3rd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in Japanese home waters.
4 Apr 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W. P. Schoeni, USN) refuels at Johnston Island.
4 Apr 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) toppes off with fuel and provisions at Johnston Island.
5 Apr 1944
On board USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) a member of the crew is injured. Lt.Cdr. Schoeni decided to return to Johnston Island for medical treatment.
6 Apr 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) returns to Johnston Island to land the injured crewmember. A replacement is taken on board and Apogon is topped off with fuel again. She departs after only 2.5 hours.
16 Apr 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) arrives in her patrol area.
15 May 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs her patrol area.
22 May 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) ends her 3rd war patrol at Majuro.
8 Jun 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) departs Majoro for her 4th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in Luzon Strait together with USS Thresher, USS Guardfish and USS Piranha.
12 Jul 1944
While attacking a Japanese convoy off the north coast of Luzon, Philippines, USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) is damaged when she is rammed by (most likely) the Japanese merchant Mayasan Maru in position 19º51'N, 123º04'E. Apogon is forced to terminate her patrol.
(All times are zone I, -9)
13 November 1944
2239 hours - Received a convoy report from USS Thresher. Set course to intercept.
2314 hours - In position 19.51'N, 123.04'E made SJ contact bearing 273 degrees, range 29800 yards. Went to full speed on all four engines to get ahead and cross to the starboard flank.
2345 hours - Guardfish reported she was also in contact.
14 November 1944
0046 hours - Sighted ship bearing 270 degrees, range 8500 yards. This ship was about 5 nautical miles ahead of the convoy and was first thought to be Thresher. When range was closed to 6900 yards it was seen to be an escort vessel. Opened out the range.
0207 hours - Received orders for a coordinated attack on the convoy.
0227 hours - Reversed course for an approach on the convoy. Dived 17000 yards ahead of the convoy as there were two escorts.
0240 hours - Passed submerged between the two escorts that were heard pinging. The convoy could now be seen to be in three columns. The port column was seen to contain three merchant vessels as was the centre column. Apogon was dead ahead of the starboard column that contained two merchants. Planned to fire 6 bow torpedoes at the leading ship in the centre column and then fire the stern tubes at the starboard column.
0255 hours - Swung right for the attack on the centre column.
0304 hours - Commenced firing 6 bow torpedoes from 2000 yards. No explosions were heard after the expected running range. Shortly afterwards 3 explosions were heard with 8 to 10 second intervals. It was thought possible that hits were obtained in the far port column.
One of the merchants in the centre column must have seen the periscope as he had turned towards and was now very close. Apogon went deep but non the less she was rammed. Water entered the conning tower through the periscope and the SJ mast fitting. A few seconds later the first of seven depth charges went off. The first two were very close. Apogon went as deep as 430 feet. Dispite 4 escorts in the area she managed to slip away.
Repairs were done during the day and Apogon surfaced at 2042 hours when it was found that all periscopes and the radar mast were bent at an angle of 47 degrees. Patrol had to be abandoned.
(see map)
22 Jul 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) makes a short call at Midway for some minor repairs and medical examination of a crewmember.
26 Jul 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) ends her 4th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.
12 Sep 1944
With her repairs completed USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House, Jr., USN) departs Pearl Harbor for her 5th war patrol, and is ordered to patrol off the Kurile Islands.
16 Sep 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House, Jr., USN) arrives at Midway for fuel and provision.
17 Sep 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House, Jr., USN) departs Midway for her patrol area.
23 Sep 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) sinks the Japanese guardboat Choyo Maru No.6 (400 GRT) with gunfire about 800 nautical miles east of Honshu, Japan in position 34º57'N, 154º44'E.
(All times are zone -10)
1600 hours - Sighted a trawler type patrol vessel on the horizon bearing 296 degrees through the high periscope. Manned surface battle stations and closed full speed on all 4 engines.
1620 hours - Attempted to open fire with the 4" gun from a range of 5000 yards. There were 3 misfires in a row from the ready ammunition locker. Continued to close to 3500 yards and opened fire with the 40mm and 20mm guns. The 20mm gun however soon jammed. Opened up the range to investigate the gun failures.
1649 hours - Closed again after bringing up 4" ammunition from below. At 4000 yards commenced firing the 4" gun followed soon by the 40mm and 20mm guns. The enemy was also firing but at ....
1710 hours - The enemy was hit aft. The hit started a big fire. The target soon began to sattle.
1735 hours - The after ends of the target exploded.
1741 hours - The target was seen to sink. Sortly before radar interference was picked up. Decided to leave the area and not to search for survivors.
In all 96 rounds of 4", 320 rounds of 40mm, 90 rounds of 20mm and 25 rounds of .30 were used in this action. (see map)
27 Sep 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) torpedoes and sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Hachirogata Maru (1999 GRT, built 1944) in the Sea of Okhotsk off Shimushir Island in position 46º32'N, 146º48'E. (see map)
28 Oct 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr., USN) ends her 5th war patrol at Midway.
20 Nov 1944
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr., USN) departs Midway for her 6th war patrol. Once agian she is ordered to patrol off the Kuril Islands.
5 Jan 1945
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) ends her 6th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She is now ordered to the Mare Island Navy Yard for a major overhaul.
28 May 1945
With her overhaul completed USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr., USN) departs Pearl Harbor for her 7th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the Kuril Islands.
18 Jun 1945
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) torpedoes and sinks the Japanese troop transport Hakuai Maru (2636 GRT) south-west of Paramushiro, Kuril Islands in position 50º30'N, 155º01'E. (see map)
2 Jul 1945
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) damages the Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 58 and Cha 65 off the Kuril Islands in position 49º28'N, 154º19'E. (see map)
14 Jul 1945
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) ends her 7th war patrol at Midway.
7 Aug 1945
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) departs Midway for her 8th war patrol. She is ordered
to patrol in the Marcus Island area.
2 Sep 1945
USS Apogon (Lt.Cdr. A.C. House Jr.) ends her 8th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.
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