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Submarine USS Tang (306)

23 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 23 to 27 November 1943, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted trials / exercises off San Francisco.

29 Nov 1943
From 29 November to 1 December 1943, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted trials / exercises off San Francisco.

5 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) departed the Mare Island Navy Yard for San Diego.

Most likely she is escorted but we have been unable to identify the vessel which escorted her.

At some point during the passage, most likely in the morning of the 6th, USS Kennison (T/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Babb, USN) joined to take over the escort duties.

USS Tang and USS Kennison arrived at San Diego later on the 6th.

7 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS Kennison (T/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Babb, USN) and USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR).

8 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR).

9 Dec 1943
During 9/10 December 1943, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS Kennison (T/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Babb, USN) and USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR). These included night exercises.

11 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 11/12 December 1943, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS Kennison (T/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Babb, USN) and USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR). These included night exercises.

13 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR).

14 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 14/15 December 1943, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR). These included night exercises.

16 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR).

17 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 17/18 December 1943, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR). These included night exercises.

19 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 19/20 December 1943, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off San Diego with USS PC-783 (Lt. H.E Ellis, USNR). These included night exercises.

On completion of the night exercises on the 20th, USS Kennison (T/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Babb, USN) joined and then USS Tang departed for San Francisco (Mare Island Navy Yard) escorted by USS Kennison.

22 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) arrived at the Mare Island Navy Yard from San Diego.

Earlier that day, her escort from San Diego, USS Kennison (T/Lt.Cdr. R.E. Babb, USN) had been relieved off the Farallon Islands by USS PC-620 (Lt. E.C. Reich, USNR).

2 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor.

2 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor.

8 Jan 1944
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor from San Francisco.

10 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Sunfish (T/Cdr. E.E. Shelby, USN) and USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Greenlet (Lt. J.T. Hodgson, Jr., USNR).

11 Jan 1944
During 11/12 January 1944, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) and USS Burrfish (T/Cdr. W.B. Perkins, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Wyman (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Copeland, USNR). These included night exercises.

13 Jan 1944
From 13 to 15 January 1944, USS Spearfish (T/Cdr. J.W. Williams, Jr., USN), USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) and USS Burrfish (T/Cdr. W.B. Perkins, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Wyman (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Copeland, USNR). Convoy attack exercises were also scheduled but apparently the incoming convoy was not sighted.

17 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Nautilus (T/Cdr. W.D. Irvin, USN) and USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Greenlet (Lt. J.T. Hodgson, Jr., USNR).

18 Jan 1944
During 18/19 January 1944, USS Nautilus (T/Cdr. W.D. Irvin, USN) and USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Greenlet (Lt. J.T. Hodgson, Jr., USNR). These included night exercises.

22 Jan 1944
USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her first war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Mariana / Caroline Islands area. En-route she was also to patrol off Wake Island.

29 Jan 1944
From 29 January 1944 to 5 February 1944, USS Tang (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane, USN) patrolled of Wake Island also being standby for air/sea rescue duties during air strikes on 30 January and 5 February but her services were not required. On release from her duties USS Tang was ordered to patrol north of Truk. (2)

17 Feb 1944 (position 8.04, 149.28)
USS Tang (T/Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Gyoten Maru (6854 GRT, built 1943) about 130 nautical miles west-north-west of Truk in position 08°04'N, 149°28'E.

Gyoten Maru was in convoy with the transports Ryuko Maru (2764 GRT, built 1942), Shinkyo Maru (5204 GRT, built 1918), Tatsuha Maru (5697 GRT, built 1918), Zuikai Maru (2827 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the destroyer Fujinami, frigate Amakusa, submarine chaser CH-31, minelayer Natsushima and auxiliary minesweeper Hagoromo Maru

0025K/17 - In position 08°10'N, 149°07'E, obtained radar contact bearing 305° at a range of 31000 yards. Commenced tracking. This gave a speed of 8.5 knots on a base course of 100° as a result.

The convoy was thought to consist of two fairly large tranports, a small one later thought to be a destroyer and five other escorts. USS Tang tried to gain a position ahead.

0219K/17 - When nearly ahead of the convoy at a range of 15000 yards the starboard flanking escort suddenly appeared at a range of 7000 yards and closing. Tang went deep and five depth charges were dropped. 15 minutes later Tang was at radar depth. The convoy was now 9000 yards away and still closing nicely.

0335K/17 - In position 08°04'N, 149°28'E fired four bow torpedoes at the nearest, large, transport from 1500 yards. Three hits were obtained. The target was seen to sink amidst the milling escorts.

After the ship was seen to sink, USS Tang went deep and commenced to clear the area. A few depth charges were dropped but they were not close.

0500K/17 - Did a radar sweep and than surfaced. There were still ships in sight on the radar screen and a large, escorted, contact was 14000 yards away. It was tracked on course 300° at 7 knots. The ship was chased but during the next hours the range never came closer than 6000 yards and reluctantly the chase had to be broken off as an end around was not possible due to the three ship strong escort as well as a escorting aircraft.

Tang then proceeded to take up her position for air/sea rescue duties during Operation Hailstone, the large scale air attacks on Truk.

22 Feb 1944 (position 15.14, 144.55)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary gunboat Fukuyama Maru (3581 GRT) about 60 nautical miles south-west of Saipan in position 15°14'N, 144°55'E.

23 Feb 1944 (position 14.45, 144.32)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese repair ship Yamashimo Maru (6777 GRT) west of Saipan in position 14°45'N, 144°32'E.

24 Feb 1944 (position 15.45, 143.29)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Echizen Maru (2424 GRT) west of Saipan in position 15°45'N, 143°29'E.

25 Feb 1944 (position 15.46, 144.10)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese fleet tanker Choko Maru (1790 GRT) west of Saipan in position 15°46'N, 144°10'E.

3 Mar 1944
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) ended her 1st war patrol at Midway.

16 Mar 1944
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) departed from Midway for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Palau's.

15 May 1944
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) ended her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She had on board 22 aviators she had rescued during air-attacks on Truk.

8 Jun 1944
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the East China and the Yellow Seas.

24 Jun 1944 (position 32.24, 129.38)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ships Tamahoko Maru (6780 GRT) and Kennichi Maru (1937 GRT) and the Japanese merchant tanker Nasusan Maru (4399 GRT) and the Japanese merchant cargo ship Tainan Maru (3175 GRT) outside Nagasaki harbour, Kyushu, Japan in position 32°24'N, 129°38'E.

30 Jun 1944 (position 35.05, 125.00)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Nikkin Maru (5705 GRT) in the Yellow Sea off Mokpo, Korea in position 35°05'N, 125°00'E.

1 Jul 1944 (position 34.21, 123.55)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese fleet tanker Takatori Maru No.1 (878 GRT) off Mokpo, Korea in position 34°21'N, 123°55'E and the Japanese merchant cargo ship Taiun Maru No.2 (998 GRT) in position 34°42'N, 125°25'E.

4 Jul 1944 (position 35.22, 125.56)
While operation in the Yellow Sea off the west coast of Korea, USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ships Asukasan Maru (6886 GRT) in position 35°22'N, 125°56'E and Yamaoka Maru (6932 GRT) in position 36°05'N, 125°48'E.

6 Jul 1944 (position 38.50, 123.35)
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Dori Go (1469 GRT) in the Yellow Sea in position 38°50'N, 123°35'E.

14 Jul 1944
USS Tang (Lt.Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) ended her outstanding 3rd war patrol at Midway.

31 Jul 1944
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) departed from Midway for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the east coast of Honshu in Japanese home waters.

11 Aug 1944 (position 33.58, 136.18)
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Roko Maru (3328 GRT) off the southern coast of Honshu, Japan in position 33°58'N, 136°18'E.

22 Aug 1944 (position 34.01, 136.21)
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Nansatsu Maru No.2 (116 GRT) off Mikizaki, Japan in position 34°01'N, 136°21'E.

23 Aug 1944 (position 34.37, 137.52)
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese cargo ship Tsukushi Maru (1859 GRT) off Hamamatsu, Japan in position 34°37'N, 137°52'E.

25 Aug 1944 (position 33.55, 136.18)
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant tanker Nanko Maru No.8 (834 GRT) south of Mikizaki, Japan in position 33°55'N, 136°18'E.

3 Sep 1944
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) ended her 4th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

24 Sep 1944
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in Formosa Strait.

27 Sep 1944
USS Tang (Cdr. Richard Hetherington O'Kane) refuels at Midway.

11 Oct 1944 (position 25.00, 121.00)
USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ships Joshu Go (1658 GRT) and Oita Maru (711 GRT) in Formosa Strait in position 25°00'N, 121°00'E.

23 Oct 1944 (position 24.49, 120.26)
While operating in Formosa Strait USS Tang (Cdr. R.H. O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ships Toun Maru (1915 GRT) and Tatsuju Maru (1944 GRT) and the Japanese troop transport Wakatake Maru (1920 GRT) in position 24°49'N, 120°26'E and the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kori Go (1339 GRT) in position 24°42'N, 120°21'E.

24 Oct 1944 (position 25.04, 119.35)
While continuing her operations in Formosa Strait, USS Tang (Cdr. Richard Hetherington O'Kane) torpedoed and sank the Japanese tanker Matsumoto Maru (7024 GRT) in position 25°04'N, 119°35'E and the Japanese merchant cargo ship Ebara Maru (6957 GRT) in position 25°03'N, 119°35'E. However the Tang is sunk by her own torpedo thereafter.

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