Richard George Voge, USN
| Born | 4 May 1904 | Chicago, Illinois, USA | |
| Died | 17 Nov 1948 | (44) | Port Chester, New York, USA |
| Ranks
Retired: 1 Nov 1946 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Richard George Voge, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Sealion (i) (195) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 14 Feb 1940 | 10 Dec 1941 |
| USS Sailfish (192) | Lt.Cdr. | Submarine | 18 Dec 1941 | 9 Sep 1942 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine USS Sailfish (192)
21 Dec 1941
At 1630H/21, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) left Manila for her 2nd war patrol.
At 1900H/21, she anchored in Mariveles bay for the night, departing for patrol early the following day.
She initially patrolled to the southwest of Manila Bay but was soon ordered to patrol south off Formosa. (2)
22 Dec 1941
At 1845H/22, when north of Capra Island, in position 14°05'N, 120°00'E, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) sighted a large Japanese submarine at a range of about 6000 yards. No attack could be made though. The enemy submarine in question was most likely the I-124 (offsite link) which was on patrol in the Manila Bay area. (2)
31 Dec 1941
At 0340H/31, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), to the east of Formosa, in position 23°36'N, 122°07'E, sighted a merchant vessel proceeding on a northerly course at a speed of 10 knots. She is unable to close the range enough for a torpedo attack.
At 0715/31, in position 23°57'N, 122°04'E, a small (less then 1000 tons) merchant vessel is sighted. She was also northbound at a speed of 8 knots. Due to her small size she was not attack so as not to give away the submarines position. (2)
2 Jan 1942 (position 25.50, 121.36)
At 0006H/2, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), to the north of Formosa, in position 25°50'N, 121°36'E, sighted a merchant vessel of about 3000 tons, zigzagging on a northeasterly course at 12 knots.
USS Sailfish dived on sighting this vessel and commenced an approach.
At 0034H/2, two torpedoes were fired from 1500 yards but missed. It is believed that on firing the target made a large zig away which was not seen in time through the periscope. (2)
8 Jan 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) is ordered to leave her patrol area off the east coast of Formosa and proceed to the Davao, (Philippines) area. On the 13th she was ordered to patrol in Davao Gulf or off the entrance to the Gulf at least. (2)
14 Jan 1942
At 1130H/14, while patrolling just inside Davao Gulf, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), sighted a tanker or merchant vessel proceeding to round Cape St. Agustin. USS Sailfish was unable to close the range enough to attack with torpedoes. (2)
15 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1025H/15, still patrolling near / in the entrance to Davao Gulf, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), sighted the masts of a freighter on a southerly course hugging the west coast of Davao Gulf near Malita Point. The ship was obscured by the background of the land and not seen until almost on the beam of the submarine at a distance of almost ten miles so there was possibility for an attack.
17 Jan 1942
At 1750H/17, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), sighted smoke of a southwestbound ship rounding the Sarangani Island. No attack was possible as rain squalls had prevented the ship from having been earlier.
26 Jan 1942 (position 5.30, 125.44)
At 0700H/26, while patrolling about 20 miles to the south-south-east of Cape St. Agustin, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), sighted a Japanese cruiser in position 06°00'N, 125°56'E entering Davao Gulf. Range was about 10 miles so no attack was possible.
0721H/26, three transports were seen on a southerly course in position 06°02'N, 125°54'E. Range was 11 miles. Their speed was estimated to be 13 knots. No attack was possible due to the long range.
1135H/26, while still trailing the three transports, a Nachi-class heavy cruiser escorted by two destroyers was seen in position 05°30'N, 125°44'E. They were proceeding northwards. The cruiser in question was either Nachi or Haguro. The destroyers were most likely the Akebono and Ikazuchi (all offsite links). Sailfish went to battle stations and went to full speed to get into an attack position.
At 1150H/26, four torpedoes were fired at the cruiser from 2800 yards. On firing USS Sailfish went deep to avoid counter attacks by the destroyers. An explosion was heard at the correct interval and the cruisers screws were heard to stop and were never heard thereafter. about 10 minutes after firing one of the destroyers commenced a search for the attacker. The other destroyers was heard to remain near the position of the attack. The destroyer searching for the attacker appeared to be in contact several times but no depth charges were dropped at all. At 1500H/26, the destroyer ended the hunt and proceeded to the northward. USS Sailfish came to periscope depth at 1545 hours to find nothing in sight. (2)
27 Jan 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) is ordered to patrol off Halmahera. (2)
29 Jan 1942 (position 2.01, 128.53)
At 1030H/29, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) a surfaced Japanese submarine thought to be of the RO 33-class was sighted to the east of Morotai, in position 02°01'N, 128°53'E. Enemy course was 345° at a speed of 14 knots.
USS Sailfish turned to attack and ran in at high speed but the range could not be closed to within 5000 yards therefore the attack had to be broken off.
The submarine sighted by USS Sailfish was not of the RO 33-class though as these were not in the area. The minelaying submarines I-121 and I-122 (offsite links) both arrived at Davao the following day from patrols off northern Australia so it was most likely one of these two submarines. (2)
1 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) is ordered to leave patrol and proceed to Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies via Obi and Peleng Straits. (2)
4 Feb 1942
At 1200H/4, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) sighted a Japanese transport rounding Tg. Batu Puthi in Peleng Strait. Range was 8 nautical miles. USS Sailfish changed course to intercept.
At 1205H/4, the target was seen to change course to the eastward. Changed course to obtain a favourable attack position.
At 1237H/4, USS Sailfish fired four bow torpedoes from a range of 1500 yards. It had been intended to fire two torpedoes but it was seen that the target began maneuvering after these had been fired to two more torpedoes were fired as the first two were seen to pass ahead now. The wake of the third or fourth torpedo was seen to pass underneath the targets stern but no explosion followed.
[The patrol report does not give a position for this attack but it must have been near approximate position 01°06's, 123°00'E.] (2)
5 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) patrolled off Tomori Bay, Celebes. (2)
6 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) is ordered to patrol the approaches to Kendari to the north of 04°00'S. (2)
7 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) is ordered to continue her passage to Surabaya. (2)
9 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) is ordered to proceed to Tjilatjap on Java's south coast instead of Surabaya. She was to pass into the Indian Ocean through Alas Strait [Between Lombok and Sumbawa Islands]. (2)
14 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Tjilatjap, Java, Netherlands, East Indies. She was then taken in hand for a short tender refit by USS Holland (T/Capt. J.W. Gregory, USN) as all submarines were required at sea for operations against the advancing Japanese. (2)
19 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) left Tjilatjap her 3th war patrol. she was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea. (3)
23 Feb 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) passed Alas Strait northbound and entered her patrol area. (3)
28 Feb 1942
At 0030H/28, in position 07°30'S, 115°17'E, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) sighted a cruiser and two destroyers on a westerly to north-westerly course proceeding at 20 knots or more. Range was about 5 nautical miles. At 0035H/28, the cruiser pointed a searchlight at the submarine which subsequently dived. No attack was possible and the ships could not be identified from this range. A contact report was sent on surfacing at 0204H/28. (3)
1 Mar 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) is ordered to patrol the northern entrance to Lombok Strait. (3)
2 Mar 1942 (position -8.06, 115.57)
At 1025H/2, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) sighted a destroyer in position 08°15'S, 115°50'E. [The patrol report gives position 08°15'S, 116°50'E but this is off Alas Strait so this must be an error as the submarine was off Lombok Strait.]
At 1049H/2, fired two torpedoes from 1100 yards at the destroyer which was thought to be of the Shiratsuyu-class or Hatsuharo-class. Both torpedoes missed. The target was seen to zig radically but no counter attack followed.
At 1101H/2, a bomb exploded close aboard while watching the target through the periscope followed soon after by three more bombs. USS Sailfish then went deep.
At 1500H/2, USS Sailfish returned to periscope depth to find nothing in sight.
At 1920H/2, USS Sailfish surfaced after dark.
At 1937H/2, when in position 08°06'S, 115°57'E, a ship was sighted on a southwesterly course in the path of the moon. Submerged to periscope depth and commenced attack. Range was estimated to be around 20000 yards. When the range decreased the ship was identified as an aircraft carrier with an escort of three destroyers. One destroyer was ahead with the two others broad on each bow. The formation was moving slowly, around 8 knots. As the enemy must be listening at this slow speed decided to attack from outside the destroyer screen.
At 2059H/2, fired four bow torpedoes from an estimated range of 4000 yards. Stayed at periscope depth to watch the result of the attack. 4 Minutes and 9 seconds after firing the first torpedo a very sharp explosion was heard and flames were seen to shoot up the side of the target to a height of about 150 feet. A minute and 10 seconds later a similar explosion was heard but not seen. The explosion intervals indicated that the first and last torpedoes fired must have hit. The destroyers started pinging and dropping depth charges which lasted about 1.5 hours. No depth charges were dropped close. They were thought to be at least 3000 yards away.
2359H/2, After hearing neighted screws nor depth charges for over an hour, eight depth charges were dropped very close. Estimated between 100 and 200 yards. USS Sailfish had been running slowly at a depth of 250 - 300 feet for a while so it was not understood where this attack suddenly came from.
0305H/3, USS Sailfish surfaced to charge the batteries. Nothing in sight.
The ship hit USS Sailfish was no aircraft carrier tough, but it was the Japanese naval aircraft transport Kamogawa Maru (6440 GRT, built 1938) (offsite link). The destroyers seen on this day may be from destroyer division 21 which was made up of the Wakaba, Hatsuharu, Hatsushimo and Nenohi. (3)
8 Mar 1942
After dark, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), is ordered to leave patrol and to proceed to Fremantle, Australia. It was decided to proceed to the Indian Ocean through Strait Sape between the islands of Sumbawa and Komodo. (3)
11 Mar 1942
At 0410H/11, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) dived to commence the southbound passage of Strait Sape submerged during the day.
At 0814H/11, when Sailfish was 1.4 miles east of the eastern tip of Kelapa Island a Japanese submarine, thought to be of the RO-33 class was sighted at a range of 4000 yards. Approximate position was 08°40'S, 119°16'E. She was proceeding on a north-easterly course. She had evidently closed the strait submerged and then surfaced for the northbound passage. USS Sailfish was unable to close to attack and continued her southbound passage.
The submarine sighted was most likely the I-56 (offsite link) returning to Staring Bay (Kendari) from a patrol off Tjilatjap. She arrived at Staring Bay on the 12th. (3)
19 Mar 1942
At dawn, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) ended her 3th war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.
She was then taken in hand for a tender refit by USS Otus (Cdr. J. Newsom, USN). Following the refit a short training period followed. (3)
22 Apr 1942
Around 1720H/22, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) left Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. She was initally ordered to transport 3" AA shells to Corregidor but this mission was cancelled on 6 May 1942 after the Island had surrendered to the Japanese. She was then ordered to patrol in the Celebes and Java Seas.
Around dawn that day USS Sailfish had returned to Fremantle from exercises. All torpedoes minus 4 in the bow and 4 in the stern tubes were then disembarked and a total of 1852 rounds of 3" AA shells for Corregidor were then embarked.
On leaving harbour a trim dive was made during which she was escorted by USS Isabel (Lt. J.W. Payne, Jr., USN). All was found satisfactory and USS Isabel then returned to Fremantle and USS Sailfish proceeded on patrol. (4)
23 Apr 1942
At 2145H/23, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) intercepted a signal from USS Searaven (Lt. H. Cassedy, USN) which they had encountered southbound for Fremantlesome hourse before. The signal stated that USS Searaven had suffered a fire in the engine room and required assistance. As it was considered very likely that USS Sailfish, Lt.Cdr. Voge decided to turn back and proceed to the assistance of her sister ship.
At 0030H/24, USS Sailfish was ordered to proceed on her original mission and course was reversed again. (4)
6 May 1942
During daylight of 6 May 1942, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) made the northward passage of Sibutu Strait submerged.
At 2300H/6, she received a signal that her mission to deliver the 3" AA shells to Corregidor had been cancelled and that she was to patrol off Tarakan until 16 May instead. (4)
9 May 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) arrived of Tarakan but soon of of the periscopes became defective. It was noted that in the water near Tarakan there were a lot of floating logs and tree trunks. A signal was sent to requist permission to patrol further to the south due to not risking to damage the sole remaining periscope. The requist was granted. (4)
10 May 1942
At 1150H/10, when in position 037° - Tanjung (Cape) Mangkalihat - 44 nautical miles, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) sighted a tanker escorted by a destroyer. They were zigzagging on a northerly course evidently heading for the Sibutu passage. They had already passed so there was no possibility for attack. (4)
14 May 1942
During daylight, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), passed Lombok Strait southbound while submerged. (4)
20 May 1942
At 0340H/20, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) made rendezvous with USS Isabel (Lt. J.W. Payne, Jr., USN) which then escorted her into Fremantle ending the submarines 4th war patrol. (4)
20 May 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) departed Fremantle for Albany.
22 May 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) arrived at Albany from Fremantle.
She was then taken in hand for a tender refit by USS Holland (T/Capt. J.W. Gregory, USN). (5)
7 Jun 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) departed Albany for Fremantle.
9 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) arrived at Fremantle from Albany.
13 Jun 1942
At 1550H/13, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge) departed from Fremantle for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the coast of Indochina in the South China Sea.
On departure exercises were carried out with HMAS Geraldton (Cdr.(Retd.) H.M. Harris, RNR). (5)
20 Jun 1942
At 2300H/20, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) commenced the passage of Lombok Strait on the surface. At daylight the following day she submerged to complete the passage (5)
26 Jun 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) passed through the Sibutu Pass northbound. (5)
29 Jun 1942
After having patrolled in the western Sulu Sea for two days, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) passed through the Balabac Strait westbound. (5)
9 Jul 1942 (position 11.31, 109.21)
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese transport Aobasan Maru (8811 GRT, built 1935) (offsite link) off the coast of Indochina in position 11°31'N, 109°21'E.
1517H/9, sighted a transport of about 7000 tons painted in dazzle camouflage bearing 060°(T) at a range of 14000 yards while the submarine itself was in position 090° - Phan Rang Point - 12 nautical miles. The enemy ship was zigzagging on courses between 180°(T) and 250°(T). Commenced attack.
1555H/9, fired two torpedoes from the bow tubes from a range of 1000 yards. The first torpedo hit. The second did not explode and appeared to be a dud. Both torpedoes had been heard to run normally towards the target. The target immediately took a list. Shortly after the hit it appeared that the target fired a torpedo at the attacking submarine therefore USS Sailfish went deep to evade.
Later USS Sailfish was kept down by patrolling aircraft. It was thought the ship had been sunk and her engines were heard to stop after the attack and not heard afterwards. (5)
15 Jul 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) departed her patrol area to return to Fremantle. (5)
20 Jul 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) passed Balabac Strait to the eastward. Passage was made submerged during daylight. Course was then set towards Cagayan Sulu Island to patrol briefly in the Sulu Sea before proceeding further to the south. (5)
22 Jul 1942
During the early hours, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) passed through the Sibutu Passage, southwards, on the surface. Course was then set for the Makassar Strait. (5)
27 Jul 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) passed through Lombok Strait, southwards, mostly submerged during daylight. (5)
1 Aug 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) ended her 5th war patrol at Fremantle. (5)
4 Aug 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) departed Fremantle for Albany. (6)
6 Aug 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) arrived at Albany from Fremantle. She was escorted in by USS Whippoorwill (T/Cdr. C.A. Ferriter, USN). Between 8 and 23 August 1942 she was taken in hand for a tender refit by USS Pelias (T/Capt. W. Wakefield, USN). (7)
28 Aug 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) departed Albany for Brisbane. (6)
7 Sep 1942
USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) arrived at Brisbane from Albany. (6)
Sources
- http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_NX/citations/03_wwii-nc/nc_06wwii_navyV.html
- Patrol report of USS Sailfish for her 2nd war patrol
- Patrol report of USS Sailfish for her 3rd war patrol
- Patrol report of USS Sailfish for her 4th war patrol
- Patrol report of USS Sailfish for her 5th war patrol
- Patrol report of USS Sailfish for her 6th war patrol
- Patrol report of USS Sailfish for her 5th war patrol + War diary USS Whippoorwill for August 1942
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