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Notable events involving Hackleback include:

The page dealing with the wartime history of USS Hackleback was created in July 2023.

[No deck logs of this submarine are currently available to us so therefore some details, particularly regarding trials and exercises, might be missing on this page.]

12 Nov 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed Philadelphia for New London, Connecticut.

13 Nov 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) arrived at New London from Philadelphia.

23 Nov 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted a deep submergence trial in Long Island Sound.

26 Nov 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Newport, Rhode Island for torpedo trials. She arrived at Newport later the same day.

29 Nov 1944
With her torpedo trials completed, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN), returned to New London, Connecticut from Newport, Rhode Island.

2 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) is put on the marine railway at New London.

5 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) is put back in the water.

7 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound with USS Decatur (Lt. B.B. Kirkland, USNR) and USS Richey (Cdr. J.H Forney, USCG).

8 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound with USS Decatur (Lt. B.B. Kirkland, USNR) and USS Richey (Cdr. J.H Forney, USCG).

9 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound with USS Decatur (Lt. B.B. Kirkland, USNR) and USS Richey (Cdr. J.H Forney, USCG).

10 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound with USS Decatur (Lt. B.B. Kirkland, USNR), USS Enright (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Bradley, Jr., USNR) and USS Richey (Cdr. J.H Forney, USCG).

11 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound with USS Decatur (Lt. B.B. Kirkland, USNR), USS Enright (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Bradley, Jr., USNR) and USS Richey (Cdr. J.H Forney, USCG).

18 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Key West, Florida.

In position 25°41'N, 76°39'W she was to be joined by USS SC-1295 (Lt. R.M. Goddard, Jr., USNR or Lt.(jg) D.H. Dashiell, USNR) which then was to escort her to Key West.

24 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) arrived at Key West, Florida from New London, Connecticut.

27 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

28 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

29 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

30 Dec 1944
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

1 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

2 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

3 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

4 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

5 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

6 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted special tests off Key West with USS PC-451 (Lt. P.W. Thornton, USNR).

7 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted special tests off Key West with USS PC-451 (Lt. P.W. Thornton, USNR).

8 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed Key West, Florida for the Panama Canal Zone.

12 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) arrived in the Panama Canal Zone.

14 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS SC-684 (Lt.(jg) J.P. Mason, USNR) and USS SC-1340 (Lt.(jg) M.R. Evarts, USNR).

15 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS SC-684 (Lt.(jg) J.P. Mason, USNR) and USS SC-1340 (Lt.(jg) M.R. Evarts, USNR).

16 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS SC-684 (Lt.(jg) J.P. Mason, USNR) and USS SC-1340 (Lt.(jg) M.R. Evarts, USNR).

17 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama with USS Barker (Lt. H. Smith, USNR), USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR) and USS Paul Jones.

18 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama with USS Barker (Lt. H. Smith, USNR), USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR), USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS SC-684 (Lt.(jg) J.P. Mason, USNR), USS SC-996 (Lt.(jg) S.N. Stearns, USNR), USS SC-1017 (Lt.(jg) R.A. Grimm, USNR) and USS SC-1340 (Lt.(jg) M.R. Evarts, USNR).

19 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama with USS Barker (Lt. H. Smith, USNR), USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR), USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS SC-684 (Lt.(jg) J.P. Mason, USNR), USS SC-986 (Lt.(jg) O.W. Scott, USNR), USS SC-996 (Lt.(jg) S.N. Stearns, USNR), USS SC-1017 (Lt.(jg) R.A. Grimm, USNR) and USS SC-1340 (Lt.(jg) M.R. Evarts, USNR).

20 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Panama with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR) and USS Rockaway (T/Cdr. James Herve Mills, Jr., USN).

25 Jan 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) and USS Tirante (T/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Street, 3rd, USN) departed the Panama Canal Zone for Pearl Harbour.

10 Feb 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) and USS Tirante (T/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Street, 3rd, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbour from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. They were then taken in hand for voyage repairs and some minor alterations.

19 Feb 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour with USS Pruitt (T/Cdr. P.H. Bjarnason, USN).

20 Feb 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

21 Feb 1945
During 21/22 February 1945, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) and USS Queenfish (T/Cdr. C.E. Loughlin, USN) both conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour with USS Pruitt (T/Cdr. P.H. Bjarnason, USN) and USS Florikan (Lt. D. Hima, USN). These included night exercises.

24 Feb 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

25 Feb 1945
During 25/26 February 1945, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour. These included night exercises.

28 Feb 1945
During 28 February 1945 and 1 March 1945, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour with USS Pruitt (T/Cdr. P.H. Bjarnason, USN). These included night exercises.

6 Mar 1945
Around 1330VW/6, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol, and was ordered to patrol in the Bungo Straits area. She was to call at Midway to top off with fuel before proceeding to her patrol area.

Her escort parted company around 1746VW/6.

For the daily and attack positions of USS Hackleback during her 1st war patrol see the map below.

10 Mar 1945
Around 0908X/10, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) arrived at Midway from Pearl Harbour.

She departed for her patrol area around 1600Y/10.

19 Mar 1945
At 1237L/19, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) sighted two Japanese picket boats in position 31°01'N, 142°42'E. It was decided to attack them with gunfire at dusk as USS Hackleback had been ordered not to proceed further westwards then 142°00'E so they had time in hand.

1237L/19, Sighted two picket boats through the high periscope, bearing 225°(T), range about 7 miles. Submerged and started to close for observation. When the range had closed it was seen that each of them carried 5 guns varying from 3" to 40mm and machine guns. They were laying to and several lookouts could be seen. It was decided not to fire torpedoes due to the shallow draft of these ships and it was decided to make a dusk battle surface so opened range to the south to surface.

1850L/19, Made battle surface but found that the targets had gone. Apparently while the range was being opened they had got underway and had proceeded westwards. Commenced a search.

2010L/19, Contacted the targets on SJ radar at 10000 yards but by now it was too dark to see them. Decided as we were still awaiting orders from ComSubsPac before proceeding west of 142°00'E to circle them during the night for a dawn gun attack.

0535L/20, Went to battle stations surface and commenced closing the targets at slow speed from the westward. Targets were again laying to about 1000 yards apart.

0553L/20, in position 31°03'N, 142°22'E, with the closest picked boat bearing 095°(T), range 4600 yards, commenced firing with 5" and 40mm. However the 40mm jammed after one round had been fired. The first and second 5" shells missed by about 100 yards and served only to sound reveille on the picket boats. The close target began to maneuver radically and opened up with all he had. His deflection was way off, but his range was fair with a flat trajectory and it was obvious they were just getting the sleep out of their eyes. With the 40mm out of action we opened the range and continued to fire with the 5" gun but the picked boat was a little too quick. He would run in circles awaiting a splash and then head for it until the next one landed, repeating the process successfully. Occassionally he would make a dash for us firing all his guns. A near miss on the target, at first believed to be a direct hit, brought forth a tremendous cloud of smoke and the target disappeared behind it. At this time fire was shifted to the second picket boat but inside of five minutes the first target emerged from the smoke firing all guns and apparently nscathed. A few more near missed produced the same effect. He would let out a huge smoke screen and dodge out of sight behind it only to re-appear again apparently undamaged. As the action would lead Hackleback nowhere and also at risk of being damaged herself it was decided to break off the action after 41 rounds of 5" had been fired.

0647L/19, Started opening the range on the picket boats. Subsequently submerged to check for damage.

21 Mar 1945
At 0426L/21, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) received orders to proceed to her patrol area off the Bungo Suido.

28 Mar 1945
At 1619I/28, in position 32°26'N, 132°23"E, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) sighted two patrol vessels. They looked like some sort of PC-class and were echo ranging. Also aircraft were heavily patrolling these waters. It looked like Hackleback had been detected as she was hunted for several hours during which intermittent depth charging occurred.

31 Mar 1945
In the evening, USS Silversides (T/Cdr. J.C. Nichols, USN), USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) and USS Threadfin (T/Cdr. J.J. Foote, USN) are ordered to form a coordinated attack group under the command of T/Cdr. J.C. Nichols, USN, the Commanding Officer of USS Silversides.

3 Apr 1945
At 1258I/3, in position 32°44'N, 132°22'E, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) sighted a ship hull down bearing 030°(T). Commenced approach. On closing the range it was seen that the ship sighted were actually three small fishing vessels inside the 100 fathom line so the approach was broken off. It was decided not to engage them with the guns as the shore was only 8 miles away and also to not to compromise the submarines position.

6 Apr 1945
At 1720I/6, in position 32°30'N, 132°25'E, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) sighted a small patrol craft bearing 085°(T), range approximately 7000 yards. The ship looked like a landing craft of the LCI type. Range closed to 3000 yards and at that range the hydrophones were unable to pick up the ships sound. It was decided not to attack due to the shallow draft of the target and to not give away our position.

At 1800I/6, a second contact was picked up on the hydrophones bearing 135°(T). This contact also turned out to be a patrol vessel .

At 1815I/6, the second patrol vessel turned away, but the range did not open. Sound contact was lost. Decided he was laying to, listening.

At 1824I/6, sighted a third patrol vessel bearing 149°(T) at a range of 4500 yards. All three were of the same type and all three were in sight now. The hydrophones had only picked up one of them and then for a very short time only. They were all listening as no echo sounding was picked up. Set a course to work around them to the southward. It appeared that due to the increase in A/S activity in the area something big might come out through the Bungo Suido soon.

At 2028I/6, in position 32°30'N, 132°11'E, obtained a contact with the SJ radar at a range of 30000 yards. The pip came in very weak and at first it was thought to be an aircraft but it soon came in stronger and was thought to be a large warship. Commenced tracking and sent a contact report to ComSubsPac. Went to flank speed on all four engines. The contact closed very rapidly and soon developed into six contacts with one considerably larger then the other ones. Range was between 20000 and 25000 yards. A seventh pip appeared at a range of 14000 yards. While sweeping several aircraft contacts appeared a different ranges and bearings. One of these aircraft circled Hackleback at a range of 4 miles. Three others remained within 10 miles. Sent a second contact report with the latest information to ComSubsPac giving 7 contacts on a course 180°(T) at 20 knots. When the range to the nearest destroyer had decreased to 13000 yards signalling by blinker was seen. Immediately afterwards this destroyer commenced closing at high speed so turned stern on. the result was that Hackleback lost bearing on the enemy task force. When the range had come down to 10000 yards the destroyer turned away and opened up to 13500 yards. As soon as the destroyer turned USS Hackleback turned to run parallel to the enemy task force on course 180°(T). Started to plot them again which showed their course to be now 165°(T) at a speed of 22 knots. This data was then signalled in Hackleback's third contact report to ComSubsPac. Range to the closest destroyer then dropped to 13000 yards and again signalling was seen after which the destroyer again started to close at high speed. Again the stern was turned on loosing bearing once more. When the range had dropped to 10000 yards the destroyer again turned back so Hackleback again turned parellel. This same performance was then repeated a third time but this time the destroyer closed a bit more before turning back this time to join the task force which was then 20000 yards away.

At 2155I/6, the task force turned to the south-southwest turing their sterns to us. Contact was lost 12 minutes later. A fourth contact report with the latest course and speed was then sent to ComSubsPac.

The enemy task force was the japanese Surface Special Attack Unit on their way on a ' suicide' mission towards Okinawa. It was made up of the battleship Yamato, light cruiser Yahagi and the destroyers Isokaze, Hamakaze, Yukikaze; Asashimo, Kasumi, Hatsushimo; Fuyuzuki and Suzutsuki (all offsite links).

15 Apr 1945
At 2036I/15, USS Hackleback (Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) received a signal from ComSubsPac ordering her to leave patrol at sunset on 18 April 1945.

19 Apr 1945
At 1226I/19, in position 31°26'N, 137°13'E, USS Hackleback (Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) sighted a Japanese picket boat through the high periscope. As the seas were to rough for gunnery action it was avoided.

At 1900I/19, USS Hackleback receives a signal ordering her to position 31°47'N, 140°10'E where aircraft reported having spotted a damaged Japanese transport, course was set accordingly.

20 Apr 1945
At 0221I/20, in position 31°53'N, 140°13'E, USS Hackleback (Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) obtained contact on a ship which was thought to be the ship they were directed to by ComSubsPac.

One minute later gunfire was sighted gunfire from the direction of the contact and this was immediately followed by a terrific explosion that lit up the whole sky. This must have been the end of the ship we were directed to so left the area to continue passage to Midway.

26 Apr 1945
Around 0915Y/26, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) ended her 1st war patrol at Midway. She was then taken in hand for a tender refit by USS Aegir (T/Capt. J.M. Boyd, USN). The refit was completed on 11 May 1945. She conducted five days of exercises off Midway before being ready to sail on her 2nd patrol.

17 May 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Midway with USS PC-781 (Francis Hopkinson, USNR) and USS ATR-26 (Lt. J.H. Kelly, USNR or Lt. R. MacLetchie, USNR) and USS ATR-63 (Lt. R.W. Coffey, USNR).

21 May 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed from Midway for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Ryukyu Islands, mostly employed for lifeguard duties for Allied airmen, via Saipan where she was to top off with fuel and provisions.

For the daily positions of USS Hackleback during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.

30 May 1945
At 0435K/30, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) made rendezvous with USS PC-1082 (Lt. N.P. Bard, USNR) which then escorted her to Saipan where they arrived around 0845K/30. USS Hackleback was then taken in hand for some minor voyage repairs by the submarine tender USS Orion (T/Capt. E.R. Hannon, USN).

1 Jun 1945
At 1349K/1, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed Saipan for her patrol area.

22 Jun 1945
At 1404I/22, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted picked up Lt.Cdr. C.P. Smith, USN, from the sea. He was an aviator whose plane had crashed.

6 Jul 1945
At 1923I/6, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed her patrol area for Guam.

7 Jul 1945
At 1212I/7, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) commenced bombarding 'Shokoto Sho Island' [Little Orchid Island] off the south-east corner of Formosa. Presumably to destroy Japanese W/T and radar installations. Shortly before around 35 B-25's had also bombed the island.

12 Jul 1945
At 0521K/12, USS Hackleback (T/Lt.Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) made rendezvous with her escort, USS SC-671 (Lt.(jg) J.R. Paulson, USNR).

They arrived at Guam around 1000K/12, ended her 2nd war patrol at Guam. USS Hackleback was then taken in hand for a normal tender refit by USS Proteus (T/Capt. C.N. Day, USN). The tender refit was completed at 4 August which included a week extension for the fitting of ST radar.

Training off Guam was conducted from 6 to 11 August.

8 Aug 1945
USS Hackleback (T/Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Guam with USS Seid (Lt. A.F. Craft, USNR).

10 Aug 1945
During 10/11 August 1945, USS Hackleback (T/Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) conducted exercises off Guam with USS Seid (Lt. A.F. Craft, USNR) and USS Greenlet (T/Lt. R.B. Willhoite, USN). These included night exercises.

14 Aug 1945
At 0521K/14, USS Hackleback (T/Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed Guam for her 3rd war patrol.

14 Aug 1945
At 1500K/14, USS Hackleback (T/Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) departed Guam for her 3rd war patrol.

She parted company with the escort, [identity unknown], around 1840K/14.

For the daily positions of USS Hackleback during her 3rd war patrol see the map below.

16 Aug 1945
At 1420I/16, USS Hackleback (T/Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) is ordered to proceed to Midway instead of her patrol area.

22 Aug 1945
At 1505Y/22, USS Hackleback (T/Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Midway.

1 Sep 1945
The submarine tender USS Aegir (T/Capt. J.M. Boyd, USN) and the submarines USS Gurnard (T/Lt.Cdr. G.S. Simmons, 3rd, USN), USS Devilfish (T/Lt.Cdr. S.S. Mann, Jr., USN), USS Hackleback (T/Cdr. F.E. Janney, USN), USS Lionfish (T/Lt.Cdr. B.M. Ganyard, USN), USS Moray (T/Cdr. F.L. Barrows, USN), USS Aspro (T/Cdr. J.H. Ashley, Jr., USN) and USS Piranha (T/Cdr. D.G. Irvine, USN) departed Midway for the Mare Island Navy Yard where they arrived on 11 September.

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