Francis David Walker, Jr., USN
| Born | 11 Oct 1914 | North Vassalboro, Kennebec County, Maine, USA | |
| Died | 2 Jan 2003 | (88) |
| Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for Francis David Walker, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Crevalle (291) | T/Cdr. | Submarine | 16 Mar 1944 | 23 Dec 1944 |
| USS Odax (484) | T/Cdr. | Submarine | 11 Jul 1945 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine USS Crevalle (291)
4 Apr 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) departed from Fremantle for her 3rd war patrol. Once again she was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.
For daily and attack positions of USS Crevalle (though not complete) during this patrol see the map below.
11 Apr 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) arrived at Darwin to top off with fuel. She was escorted in by HMAS ML 809 (T/Lt. I. Holm, RANVR).
She departed for her patrol area later the same day.
25 Apr 1944 (position 7.11, 116.46)
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Kashiwa Maru (976 GRT, built 1918) north of Borneo near the Balabac Strait in position 07°09'N, 116°48'E.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1020 hours - In position 07°23'N, 117°05'E sighted smoke bearing 120°(T). Changed course to close.
1142 hours - Range to the target now 10000 yards. Submerged on the starboard bow of the target. Went to battle stations.
1210 hours - Identified the target as a large freighter very lightly laden but with two aircraft on the main deck aft. In column behind the target were two small sea trucks. A small escort, possibly a converted yacht, was to starboard of this column.
1245 hours - Targets main course was 213°(T), speed 8 knots. In position 07°09'N, 116°48'E fired six bow torpedoes from 2200 yards.
1246 hours - Observed the first torpedo to hit amidships with a tremendous explosion which lifted tons of debris into the air. A second torpedo hit was heard but not observed as we were trying to adjust a camera to the periscope.
1248 hours - The target was obscured by a huge cloud of smoke except for the bow which was separated from the rest and sinking rapidly with a large up angle. When the smoke cleared away the target was gone. Both sea trucks and the escort turned away and made for Balambangan Island.
1258 hours - Surfaced and ran through wreckage taking pictures. About 50 survivors were seen in the water. Decided not to take prisoners.
1315 hours - Departed the scene for deeper water.
3 May 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) claims to have sunk a medium sized tanker between Miri and Labuan. This claim could not be confirmed post-war. Later, early on May 4th, Crevalle made another torpedo attack on a smaller tanker with four torpedoes but no hits were obtained.
(All times are zone H, -8) 3 May 1944 1750 hours - In position 04°42'N, 116°57'E sighted masts of a ship bearing 189°(T) heading north along the coast. Commenced approach.
1815 hours - Went to battle stations. Target now bearing 188°(T), range about 16000 yards.
1823 hours - The target changed course. Her base course was now 024°(T). Range now 12000 yards.
1832 hours - The target now changed course to 033°(T). Range now 8500 yards. Target tracked at 10 knots. Identified the target as a medium tanker.
1838 hours - Range now 7400 yards. Picked up the stack and superstructure of another ship well aft of the target.
1843 hours - Target now on course 025°(T), range 6200 yards. The ship behind now looked like a small tanker.
1852 hours - The target changed course to 050°(T). Range was now 4100 yards. The smaller ship was now definately seen to be a small tanker.
1857 hours - Closest range now, 4000 yards. Decided to break off the attack, make and end around and attack at night.
1910 hours - Lost sight of the targets.
1920 hours - Came to 45 feet for a radar sweep. Picked up the targets at bearing 152°(T), range 6000 yards. Returned to 60 feet. Could not see the contact through the periscope.
1930 hours - Again came to radar depth (45 feet) for an SJ sweep. Contact now bearing 152°(T), range 6000 yards. Returned to periscope depth. Still unable to see the contact through the periscope.
1945 hours - Came to radar depth for another sweep. Range now 6500 yards.
1953 hours - Lost contact at a range of 7000 yards.
1957 hours - Surfaced. Picked up radar contact on two targets bearing 140°(T), range 17000 yards. The contact at 7000 yards had disappeared. This was probably a small escort trailing the convoy.
2003 hours - Began an end around on three engines while charging on the other. Targets were checking on course 050°(T), speed 8 knots.
2227 hours - Now in a position dead ahead of the target at a range of 14000 yards. As it was almost full moon it was needed to attack submerged. Commenced attack. The target was in sight from the bridge.
2235 hours - When the range was 10000 yards submerged for a radar approach.
2258 hours - Range now 4000 yards. Dropped to periscope depth for final approach for a stern tube attack.
2308 hours - We ran into a rain squall, very difficult to make out the target.
2311 hours - Heavy rain completely obscured the target, returned to radar depth. Radar immediately picked up the target and two other contacts. Range to the target was 2700 yards.
2314 hours - In position 05°05'N, 114°36'E fired four stern torpedoes from 2700 yards.
2316 hours - Heard two timed explosions. Rain was so heavy that nothing was visible through the periscope.
2317 hours - Went deep to 150 feet.
2319 hours - Went to 180 feet. Heard a rumbling explosion.
2321 hours - Returned to periscope depth.
2328 hours - At periscope depth. We were still in the rain squall. Nothing visible through the periscope. No screws were heard on sound.
2329 hours - Came to radar depth. Radar picked up one target at a range of 4800 yards.
2331 hours - Radar picked up another small pip at 5000 yards.
2340 hours - Surfaced in the heavy rain. Radar had two contacts at a range of 6000 yards. Commenced another end around. The third pip had disappeared.
2342 hours - Heard a tremendous explosion coming from the direction of the attack which rocked the ship. Concluded that our tanker had sunk.
2345 hours - When the range was 7000 yards the small pip disappeared from the radar. The other contact tracked out to 17000 yards as before on course 050°(T), speed 8 knots.
4 May 1944 0030 hours - Rain slackened. The target was sighted at a range of 11000 yards.
0108 hours - Started surfaced attack.
0114 hours - In position 05°19'N, 114°36'E fired four bow torpedoes from 1400 yards. Observed the first three to miss ahead. The fourth torpedo ran erratic and took a course of about 30 degrees to the right. All torpedoes therefore missed. Another attack was attempted but the target ran behind a known minefield so the attack was broken off.
6 May 1944 (position 7.19, 116.52)
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese fleet tanker Nisshin Maru (16801 GRT, built 1936) about 40 nautical miles west of Kalutan Island in position 07°19'N, 116°52'E.
Nisshin Maru was part of convoy MI-02 (return journey) consisting of tankers Tachibana Maru (6521 GRT, built 1921), Nittetsu Maru (5993 GRT, built 1943), Hakubasan Maru (6650 GRT, built 1928), Sanko (Yamako) Maru (???? GRT, built ????), Taketsu Maru (5949 GRT, built 1942), Tenshin Maru (5068 GRT, built 1943), Shincho Maru (5136 GRT, built 1943) and Matsumoto Maru (7024 GRT, built 1921), Yamamizu Maru No.2 (5155 GRT, built 1943) and Ogura Maru No.1, cargo ships Kensei Maru (4644 GRT, built 1941, former British Hinsang), Taihei Maru (6285 GRT, built 1928), Akigasan Maru (4715 GRT, built 1924) and Taiyu Maru (1541 GRT, built 1924) and passenger/cargo ship Kurenai Maru (1541 GRT, built 1924) escorted by kaibokan Japanese frigate Awaji, torpedo boat Sagi and patrol boat Patrol Boat No.38.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0554 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 195°(T). Changed course to intercept.
0610 hours - Smoke and tops of eight ships were visible crossing the entrance of Marudu Bay. Position was 07°23'N, 116°50'E.
0622 hours - Went to battle stations. Three escorting destroyers were seen.
0627 hours - Sighted an aircraft patrolling over the convoy.
0635 hours - Sighted the tops of three more ships coming up astern of the convoy. Also two more escorts were sighted with these ships.
0642 hours - Started attack on the largest ship in the convoy, a two-stack whale factory ship most likely in use as tanker.
0701 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 900 yards. Three hits were obtained.
0702 hours - Went to 140 feet. Breaking up noises were heard. Hoped to get to deeper water before 'the fireworks' started.
0706 hours - Three depth charges were dropped. They were close. Went to 150 feet.
0707 hours - Ten close depth charges. They caused no material damage. One valve opened, some wrenches were flying around in the control room and a little cork was knocked around.
0709 hours - Two more depth charges followed shortly afterwards by seven more. Until 0733 hours we were depth charged almost continually. As each attack started went to full speed and stopped as soon as the last charge was dropped.
0733 hours - Decided to bottom as we were probably stirring up mud leaving a marker for the enemy. Bottomed in 174 feet.
0745 hours - Depth charging slacked off. There were now at least three escorts hunting overhead.
0955 hours - Came of the bottom and made off on course 280(T). The enemy was still hunting above.
1055 hours - The screws of the escorts faded out. Came to periscope depth. Could see the tops of one escort vessel dead astern.
1100 hours - Sighted a destroyer which closed to 8000 yards.
1343 hours - The tops of two escort vessels were still in sight astern.
1443 hours - The escorts were no longer in sight.
1855 hours - Surfaced.
8 May 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) departed her patrol area to conduct a special operation.
11 May 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, USN) evacuates 28 women and children from Negros Island, Philippines. Course was then set for Darwin, Australia.
14 May 1944 (position 0.57, 125.51)
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN), while en-route to Darwin and trying to attack a Japanese convoy, is damaged by depth charges east off northern Celebes in position 00°57'N, 125°51'E.
The convoy Crevalle tried to attack was the Take return convoy (Halmahera - Manila) consisting of Teikai Maru (9492 GRT, built 1924, former German Fulda sold to Japan in 1940), Mitsuki Maru (6440 GRT, built 1943), Kazuura Maru (6804 GRT, built 1938), Brazil Maru (5860 GRT, built 1919), Atlas Maru (7349 GRT, built 1919) and possibly Yozan Maru (6487 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the minelayer Shirataka, submarine chaser Ch 38, patrol boats PB-102 (former USS Stewart) and PB-104, and auxiliary netlayer Korei Maru (541 GRT, built 1939).
(All times are zone H, -8) 0940 hours - In position 00°57'N, 125°51'E sighted smoke of a six ship convoy.
0941 hours - Sighted the twin-engined bomber that had attacked us a little over two hours ago over the convoy.
1005 hours - Battle stations.
1018 hours - Convoy was zig-zagging radically on a base couse of 160°(T), speed 6 knots. The six Maru's were escorted by two destroyers, two torpedo boats and what is thought to be a minesweeper.
1046 hours - Convoy zigged towards. One of the ships was selected as target.
1051 hours - Another zig towards. Shifted target to one of the other Maru's.
1055 hours - Range to the target was now 2800 yards. One of the escorts, thought to be a Chidori-class torpedo boat, headed towards at high speed. Went deep, 300 feet.
1057 hours - The enemy passed directly overhead when we passed 130 feet.
1058 hours - The first string of eight depth charges. They were very close and caused a lot of mostly minor damage.
1059 hours - Increased depth to 450 feet. All sound gear was out of commission.
1104 hours - A second barrage of eight depth charges was dropped. Again close but above us. These were the last depth charges dropped.
1500 hours After being hunted for almost four more hours, during which the enemy failed to gain contact on Crevalle, no more screws were heard on sound (by now partially repaired). Remained deep to effect more repairs to our damage as possible.
1630 hours - Planed up to 150 feet.
1730 hours - Planed up to 65 feet to test the periscopes. Both were found to be smashed so returned to 150 feet.
1840 hours - Surfaced. Started a battery charge. More damage was found on deck.
19 May 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) arrived at Darwin, Australia where her passengers were disembarked. Upon arrival she was escorted in by HMAS ML 815 (T/Lt. F.J. Horsfield, RANVR). She also underwent some minor repairs before departing for Fremantle the following day.
23 May 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) proceeded towards a rendez-vous with USS Angler (Cdr. R.I. Olsen, USN) between Lombok Strait and Exmouth Gulf. On board USS Angler almost the entire crew was ill due to drinking contaminated water.
24 May 1944
At 1430 hours, USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN), made rendez-vous with USS Angler (Cdr. R.I. Olsen, USN). Shortly before she sighted Angler, Crevalle had joined up with USS Childs (Lt. C.D. Ingebrand, USNR) which was also to render assistance to Angler. Later in the afternoon USS Flasher (Cdr. R.T. Whitaker, USN) also joined.
28 May 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle.
21 Jun 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) departed from Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea and off the northern Philippines.
For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Crevalle during this patrol see the map below.
24 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) made a shot stop at Exmouth Gulf to top off with fuel before she departed for her patrol area later the same day.
25 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) returned to Exmouth Gulf to repair her SJ radar which had broken down. After repairs she resumed her patrol later the same day.
28 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 28/29 June 1944, USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN), made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
29 Jun 1944 (position -7.16, 116.17)
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) destroyed a small sailing vessel with gunfire east-south-east of Kangean Island.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0555 hours - In position 07°16'S, 116°17'E sighted what was thought to be a patrol vessel at a range of 4 nautical miles. Dived.
0645 hours - Picked up target in periscope. It was seen to be a small motor sampan apparently fishing. Decided to watch him for a while.
0900 hours - Ran into fishing buoys. Decided to surface, knock off the sampan and then be on our way.
0905 hours - Surfaced. Besided the sampan another sailing vessel was in sight. Began closing the sampan at high speed.
0925 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun from 1200 yards. Fired 18 rounds for at least 7 hits. It was thought that the sampan was used for observation purposes and was equipped with radio.
0933 hours - After the 18th round the deck gun malfuntioned. The target was well holed and listing way over to starboard. Secured the deck gun and opened fire with 20mm. Put 10 pans of 20mm into the sampan and then cleared out. He was obviously sinking.
26 Jul 1944 (position 18.24, 118.02)
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) attacked the Japanese convoy HI-68 in the South China Sea. Crevalle was part of a wolfpack together with USS Flasher (Cdr. R.T. Whitaker, USN) and USS Angler (Cdr. F.G. Hess, USN).
Conoy HI-68 was made up of the escort carrier Taiyo, landing craft depot depot ships Mayasan Maru (9433 GRT, built 1942) and Tamatsu Maru (9589 GRT, built 1944), tankers Otorisan Maru (5280 GRT, built 1943), Nichinan Maru No. 2 (5227 GRT, built 1943), Toa Maru (10038 GRT, built 1944), Toho Maru (10238 GRT, built 1944), Shimpo Maru (5135 GRT, built 1944) and Itsukushima Maru (10007 GRT, built 1937), transports Tosan Maru (8684 GRT, built 1938), Kashii Maru (8407 GRT, built 1936), In the afternoon of the 25th Crevalle made a failed torpedo attack on a Japanese freighter. The Japanese freighters Aki Maru and Tosan Maru reported being missed.
Around 0215 hours on the 26th, USS Flasher torpedoed and sank the tanker Otorisan Maru, which exploded and illuminated the night. The transports Aki Maru and Tosan Maru were damaged.
Around 0430 hours the already damaged Aki Maru was torpedoed and sunk by Crevalle.
Around 1030 hours, Crevalle torpedoes and further damaged the Tosan Maru.
(All times are zone H, -8)
25 July 1944
0603 hours - Received a message from USS Angler that she was in contact with a 10 ship convoy bearing 115°(T), distance 14 nautical miles.
0620 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 105°(T). Through high periscope sighted tops of several large ships. Position was 14°43'N, 117°13'E.
0621 hours - Received a message from USS Angler that the course of the convoy was 305°(T) to 010°(T).
0637 hours - The tops of the convoy were now clearly in sight. We were getting too close. Commenced an end around.
0702 hours - Received a message from USS Flasher that he had the convoy in sight bearing 215°(T), distance 14 nautical miles from position 15°17'N, 117°14'E. The base course of the convoy was 335°(T), speed 8 knots.
0710 hours - Lost the tops of the convoy out of sight. Closed again.
0724 hours - Angler reported base course of the convoy 335°(T), speed 8 knots.
0755 hours - Angler reported she was diving.
0757 hours - Flasher reported in plain language 'plane sighted'.
0814 hours - Sighted a four engine patrol plane in the direction of the convoy at long range.
0821 hours - The aircraft turned towards us and closed the range rapidly. Dived and kept the plane in sight through the periscope.
0925 hours - The aircraft flew back towards the convoy. It soon passed out of sight.
0930 hours - Surfaced. Sighted the aircraft immediately. At this time the convoy was out of sight. We could not close because of the aircraft.
1041 hours - Sighted a second patrol plane near the convoy.
1050 hours - Picked up smoke again from the convoy bearing 115°(T).
1201 hours - Flasher reported the convoy bearing 015°(T), distance 15 nautical miles from position 15°35'N, 116°53'E. Course of the convoy was 010°(T), speed 9 knots. By this time we were getting well ahead of the convoy.
1331 hours - Now well ahead of the convoy. Changed course to close the range.
1340 hours - Dived for attack. Position was now 16°26'N, 117°04'E.
1350 hours - The convoy was completely obscured by a rain squall.
1408 hours - Convoy still obscured by rain.
1427 hours - Still unable to see any ships. The convoy's screws were drawing to the northward.
1435 hours - Sound reported fast screws very close bearing 070° relative. Made out the outline of a Fubuki class destroyer dimly through the rain. He disappeared almost immediately. We now heard loud screws all around and concluded we were in the middle of the convoy but we could not see a single ship.
1443 hours - Made out a large 4 goal post Maru bearing 245°(T). Started attack for a stern tube shot.
1444 hours - In position 16°21'N, 117°07'E fired four stern torpedoes. While firing two more large Maru's were seen following the one fired at. Commenced attack at these ships with the bow tubes.
1445 hours - The after torpedo room reported that we were taking in water fast through tube no.10. The outer door or poppet could not be closed. The boat lost trim and started coming up.
1446 hours - Broached in the middle of the convoy. By now it was clear the all four torpedoes that had been fired had missed the target.
1447 hours - Flooding stopped in the after torpedo room with the bilge about two thirds full. Went deep.
1450 to 1500 hours - First depth charge attack by four or five escorts. Thirty-two depth charges were counted but none were really close.
1500 to 1502 hours - A second and most accurate depth charge attack in which twenty depth charges were dropped very close.
1502 to 1542 hours - Screws and pinging of three or four escorts overhead.
1557 hours - One escort came up the starboard side and dropped six depth charges not too close.
1615 hours - Screws all dropping aft.
1655 hours - Screws faded out but pinging was still heard. Started coming up to periscope depth. As pinging sometimes was coming nearer the ascent was halted several times.
1755 hours - At periscope depth, pinging was still faintly heard astern. Picked up the tops of two escorts. Position was 16°18'N, 117°01'E.
1822 hours - The tops of both escorts disappeared. Could still heard very faint pinging.
1900 hours - All clear on sound and periscope. Surfaced. Commenced end around on the convoy.
1927 hours - Sent a message to Flasher with the results of our attack.
1937 hours - Radar contact on the two escorts that had hunted us last bearing 052°(T), range 15000 yards. Decided to hold course for a while and tracked them.
1950 hours - Received a message from Flasher positioning the convoy bearing 031°(T), distance 12 nautical miles from position 16°18'N, 117°12'E. Enemy course 025°(T), speed 10 knots.
2003 hours - Range to the escorts now 8700 hours so changed course to the west to increase the range again.
2033 hours - Lost contact on the escorts at 16500 yards.
2104 hours - Received a message from Flasher positioning the convoy bearing 058°(T), distance 11 nautical miles from position 17°04'N, 117°34'E. Enemy course 038°(T), speed 11 knots.
2210 hours - Flasher reported convoy course 025(T), speed 11 knots.
2257 hours - Flasher reported convoy course now 005°(T), speed 11 knots.
2325 hours - SJ radar contact at bearing 255°(T), range 5800 yards. This contact could not be seen and was avoided to the eastward.
26 July 1944
0007 hours - Flasher now reported that the convoy's course was 000°(T), speed 10.5 knots.
0109 hours - Flasher reported the position of the convoy as 7 nautical miles bearing 198°(T) from position 18°02'N, 117°51'E.
0146 hours - Flasher reported that she was going in for an attack from port.
About 0220 hours - A tremendous explosion lighted up the whole area as Flasher opened up the vents in a big tanker. Light was so bright that several ships could be seen although the range was still about 12 nautical miles. Picked up the silhoutte of a second ship with a large column of smoke coming from it. Also at this time radar reported a third ship pulled out of the convoy as though damaged. The light from the burning tanker persisted until dawn and probably could be seen from a range of a hundred miles.
0242 hours - Picked up radar contact on a trailing escort bearing 060°(T), range 11000 yards. Made an end around on this escort.
0403 hours - Sighted gunfire bearing 085°(T). This was believed to be Angler attacking. At this time it seemed that we would have a hard time attacking before dawn. After the attack by Angler the convoy seemed to stop or slow down drastically. This gave Crevalle a change to attack immediately.
0410 hours - Went to battle stations. The convoy was now in two sections. The port section consisted of two large ships with an escort on the port bow. The starboard section had one large and two smaller ships presumably with the rest of the escorts.
0419 hours - The selected targets zigged away.
0422 hours - Changed course to close the range at flank speed.
0430 hours - In position 18°28'N, 117°59'E fired five bow torpedoes from 2900 yards at two overlapping targets.
0433 hours - After having swung fired four stern torpedoes from 2900 yards at the same targets. Shortly after firing this second salvo two hits from the first salvo were observed on the after target. The first hit threw a huge column of black smoke high in the air.
0435 hours - Observed one and heard three timed hits on the forward target. This stopped him and he began to take an up angle.
0437 hours - Fireworks started on the after target as though ammunition was exploding. A series of explosions was observed and this ship sank.
0443 hours - Fireworks started up from small explosions on the forward target. He now definitely had a large up angle. Radar had contact with him and his pip was getting smaller.
0444 hours - The trailing escort was coming up fast at a range of 15000 yards and now had us against the light background of the dawn. The escort from the bow of the targets was now coming back towards us.
0446 hours - Dived.
0447 hours - Heard a tremendous explosion and breaking up noises on the bearing of the forward target.
0500 hours - Picked up pinging on the sound gear. Sighted the bow of the forward target through the periscope. This was seen to sink about 10 minutes later.
0520 hours - Picked up pinging from five ships though none were sighted. They were to the westward and had a rain squall as background.
0522 hours - Sighted the tops of an escort bearing 295°(T). Apparently the leading escort.
0525 hours - Made out tops of a destroyer bering 288°(T). Looked like a Fubuki-class destroyer. Position was 18°23'N, 117°56'E.
0528 hours - Sighted another Fubuki-class destroyer bearing 195°(T), range 4000 yards.
0534 hours - All tubes forward were ready. The last destroyer sighted now turned towards and gave zero angle on the bow. Speed ws estimated at 27 knots. Went deep to 400 feet.
0536 hours - The destroyer passed overhead but no depth charges were dropped. However as soon as he passed he turned back and went down the port side close aboard but again no depth charges were dropped.
0536 to 0646 hours - The screws of two ships continued to be heard loud and close. These made several runds that sounded like attacks but no charges were dropped.
0730 hours - Screws faded out but pinging was still heard.
0736 hours - Started coming up but screws and pinging were coming closer so stayed at 300 feet.
0745 hours - Screws faded out again and pinging was very faint. Began coming up.
0824 hours - All clear on periscope. Pinging was still heard in the distance. Decided that the escorts were still too close for surfacing.
0850 hours - Sighted the goal posts of a large Maru. The target was stopped. Began approach.
0900 hours - Picked up pinging of two escorts. These appeared to be circling the target slowly. Got a good look at one of the escorts, it looked like a W 13-class minesweeper but the stack was much further aft.
0951 hours - Went to 250 feet for a high speed approach.
1023 hours - Started to return to periscope depth.
1026 hours - At periscope depth. The target was right on the bearing at a range of 2200 yards. No damage could be seen on the target through the periscope.
1027 hours - In position 18°13'N, 117°56'E fired four torpedoes from 2200 yards.
1028 hours - Observed the first torpedo to hit amidships. A sheet of flame rose higher than the target's stack. Observed a second torpedo hit, also amidships throwing up much smoke and debris. All four torpedoes were heard and timed as hits.
1029 hours - We took some pictures through the periscope of the damaged ship. Received an aircraft bomb, close aboard. Went deep fast.
1030 hours - Received another aircraft bomb, again close but above.
1035 hours - Screws started coming up astern fast.
1039 to 1041 hours - Depth charge attack of fourteen charges fairly close.
1043 to 1045 hours - Another depth charge attack of twelve charges all very close but they caused no damage.
1050 hours - Two more depth charges.
1112 hours - Screws faded out but pinging was still heard aft. Increased speed to pull away.
1228 hours - Still heard faint pinging aft.
1245 hours - Pinging came closer.
1248 to 1256 hours - Depth charge attack of eleven charges. Not too close but it was evident that the escorts had trailed us since 1030 hours. Began to wonder if we were putting up air of oil.
1415 hours - All clear on sound except some occasional pinging.
1458 hours - Came to periscope depth, nothing in sight. Remained submerged.
1831 hours - A depth charge attack was carried out by someone not too far astern. Ten depth charges were dropped but nothing was sighted.
1913 hours - Surfaced and headed back towards our original patrol area. 28 Jul 1944 (position 16.18, 119.44) (All times are zone H, -8)
0905 hours - In position 16°22'N, 119°44'E sighted the tops of a large steam vessel bearing 230°(T). Started approach.
0920 hours - There were now several ships in sight. Counted about eight ships with four or more escorts. The leading escort looked like a Chidori-class torpedo boat. Picked a large Maru with cage masts as the target. It is thought to be some sort of naval auxiliary.
0929 hours - Enemy course 040°(T), speed 7 knots. Range was now 5400 yards to our selected target.
0935 hours - All ships zigged right, course now 090°(T). Quickly changed the setup of the attack.
0938 hours - In position 16°18'N, 119°44'E fired six bow torpedoes from 2500 yards. Went deep upon completing firing the torpedoes as one of the escorts was near. Heard two timed hits while going deep.
0945 hours - A pattern of four depth charges was dropped. These were close but came later then expected.
0952 hours - Another pattern but now of ten depth charges. They were very close but caused no damage. Crevalle was now at 450 feet.
1006 hours - Eleven more depth charges and close.
1020 hours - Eight charges, very close.
1105 hours - Seven more charges, close. Shut down every equipment not needed. Went to 500 feet.
1155 hours - Eight close depth charges.
1205 hours - Went to 550 feet.
1215 hours - The escort dropped astern for another run but he then appeared to have lost contact.
1330 hours - Increased speed a bit and went back to 500 feet.
1333 hours - Three more depth charges, but not very close now.
1421 hours - Now only heard faint pinging on sound.
1445 hours - Came up to 400 feet and retrimmed the boat. Faint pinging was still heard but no screws.
1630 hours - All clear on sound now for a while. Started up the gyro and ventilation.
1750 hours - Pinging came back in on the starboard beam. Changed course to evade.
1850 hours - At periscope depth. All clear. Faint pinging was occasionaly heard aft.
1925 hours - Surfaced. Cleared the area and set course to return to Fremantle. 3 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00) 6 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00) 9 Aug 1944 1 Sep 1944 For daily positions (though incomplete) of USS Crevalle during this patrol see the map below.
7 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00) 11 Sep 1944 It was due to one of the crew, R.L. Yaeger, that the boat was saved. He knew something was wrong but could not reach an officer for orders. On his own initiative he then gave orders to back down full thus saving the boat that was plunging to the deep with the conning tower hatches open. It is also thought that Lt. Blind remained with the upper conning tower hatch until he managed to unlatch it allowing it to close with the flow of the water. 15 Sep 1944 16 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00) 22 Sep 1944 18 Oct 1944 6 Nov 1944 11 Nov 1944 18 Nov 1944
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) attacked a Japanese convoy off the west coast of Luzon. Six torpedoes were fired but the results could not be obsvered. Crevalle was depth charged following this attack.
In the morning, USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN), made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait submerged.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) made a short stop at Exmouth Gulf to take on board some fuel before continuing her passage to Fremantle.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) ended her 4th war patrol at Fremantle. At Fremantle she was refitted by submarine repair unit 137.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Philippines.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, USN) topped off with fuel at Darwin before proceeding towards her patrol area later the same day.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, USN) nearly had a fatal diving accident. She was however damaged in such a way that she had to abort her patrol. Two crew were washed overboard. The Officer of the Deck, Lt. H.J. Blind, USNR was seen in the water but by the time Crevalle had turned he was gone. The other crewmember, a lookout, was recovered from the water.
The damaged USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) calls at Darwin to make emergency repairs.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, USN) departed Darwin to return to Fremantle.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) ended her 5th war patrol at Fremantle.
After repairs USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) departed from Fremantle bound for Pearl Harbor. She was to proceed to the Mare Island Navy Yard for a full refit.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) departed from Pearl Harbor bound for the Mare Island Navy Yard.
USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN) arrived at the Mare Island Navy Yard for a major overhaul.
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