At 2300 the lookouts sighted another patrol boat and 20mm and .30 caliber gun crews were called to action. The 3 inch gun crew waited impatiently and hoped we would be called. Our boat made the approach and at 600 yards our crew opened fire. In one minute and 35 seconds the boat, about the same size as the one the day before, was sinking stern first.

Our action was not unnoticed by the enemy. Four hours after the attack (about 0400) a plane was picked up on the SD radar coming in fast. About the same time a ‘Tin Can’ suddenly appeared coming toward us at about 35 knots. We crash dived to 380 feet. A couple depth charges were heard in the distance, but they did not even shake us. A second destroyer came and the two searched for us until about noon.

Friday April 23rd started off with a bang! At 0010 another patrol boat was sighted. Again the 20mm and .30 caliber gun crews were called. They opened up on the target at about 650 yards. There were lights on the boat, but after the first blast they were gone. In a minute and forty-five seconds, the boat was gone. She weighed about 50 tons. While the gun crew was still on deck another patrol boat was sighted so we went after it. In about two minutes, that boat was no more. There were no survivors on any of the three little boats.

I had just been called for the 0400 watch when the word was passed that we had a target of about 15,000 tons - it was escorted by two destroyers. A few minutes later another ship was sighted. About 0415 the forward room was instructed to make tubes ready. We fired four ‘fish’ - three at the big ship and one at the smaller vessel. About two minutes later we heard a loud explosion followed by others. Quickly we dove to 380 feet and underwent a depth charge attack. Fourteen depth charges were dropped, but they were not close. We went deeper - to 430 feet. That was the deepest our boat had ever been and most of us did not want to go deeper. When the depth charges stopped, we rose to periscope depth. One of the ships was in flames and her speed was slackened to about 5 knots.

The morning of April 27th we dove at 0330 as daylight approached. An hour later the word was passed that a convoy was appoaching. Four merchant ships were escorted by one destroyer. We started the approach when the convoy was about 2,500 yards. Six tubes in the forward room were prepared to fire. When the convoy was at 2,200 yards four torpedoes were fired at the largest ship - it weighed about 9,000 tons. The first explosion came in a minute and a half, a second explosion was heard about ten seconds later. Two more torpedoes were fired at the second ship. By the time the second batch of torpedoes left the tubes the destroyer escort was coming toward us at full speed. There was not time to see if the first ship was sinking!

We dove to 250 feet! In my opinion that was not near deep enough! Suddenly, all hell broke loose. Eight depth charges of the 600 pound class were dropped on us. Fortunately we had no damage. After the charges stopped, we came back to the surface for a look. There was a freighter with the bow sticking straight up. the Captain got some pictures before the ship made its final plunge to the bottom. The enemy was still patrolling the area. A Japanese plane spotted us and we dove to 200 feet. One aerial bomb dropped, but there was no damage. Through the hull we could hear the sounds of the target ship breaking up as the sea engulfed it.

At 0600 the morning of April 28th we were cruising on the surface with the periscope watch on duty. He spotted a patrol boat so the Captain ordered 20 mm and .30 caliber gun crews topside. When we got about 1,800 yards from it our gun crews opened up but they could not sink the little boat. The Captain called up the 3 inch gun crew. We fired 20 rounds and got 18 hits. Of course, we were only 1,000 yards but the boat was pitching a lot. The wheel house was blown off and there were three Japanese hanging on the stern. The boat was burning furiously.

The Gunnery Officer, LT Paul Schratz, wanted Mack and me to get more practice, so he got permission for us to keep firing. We fired 19 more times and there was nothing left of the boat.

Friday April 30th was the saddest day that I had known in my 28 years of living. It is one I will remember the rest of my life! The patrol boat we attacked was different from the others we had experienced. The craft was spotted at 0745 and the Captain called for all gun crews. The three inch gun crew stayed in the control room until the range was about 1,800 yards; then we went on deck, made our gun ready, and started firing.

Estimated ranges were usually relayed from the periscope watch via the bridge. In all the excitement we got no ranges to help set our gun. Mack and I could not get the range or deflection of the target. After firing 30 rounds with no hits, the Captain changed our course and veered away from the target. We needed time to load the ammo drums for the 20mm & .30 cal, & get the deck lockers filled with 3 inch ammo.

We returned to the battle at a range of about 1,500 yards. The first 3 inch shot was a miss. The second one hit the bridge and caused a fire. In a very few minutes forty rounds were laid in along her water line. After we moved in, it was discovered that this was a different kind of target. The patrol boat had a three inch gun forward and another one aft. They were also firing at us with a machine gun and a couple of high powered rifles. Their men on the small arms had the range and the shells were hitting the conning tower with a THUD. Every hit made a hole in the superstructure. Their gunners had not found the range with the three inch guns, but we could hear the projectiles skipping when they hit the water.

I trained on the target’s forward three inch gun and got three direct hits. Then we shifted to the after gun and knocked it out with four shots. Suddenly the Captain shouted ‘They’ve killed Mr. Raymond!’

For a few moments we opened up on the vessel furiously with all guns. Then the Captain said to secure the three inch gun. He then told the forward room to get the remaining torpedoes ready to fire. When it was ready, he said: ‘This is for Mr. Raymond!’

Our last ‘fish’ hit the vessel squarely; I have never witnessed such an explosion in my life. One section of the ship, about 15 feet square, must have blown about 1,000 feet straight up. What was left of the ship sank in about thirty seconds.

The excitement level was high on deck! The three inch gun crew was told to go below; suddenly radar picked up a plane bearing down on us at a two mile distance. We made a crash dive - there was no chance to get Mr. Raymond below. He was lost in the foaming sea. the plane dropped a bomb, but no damage was done.

After we were safely under the water, there was time to assess the damage to the gun crews. Five men had been hit by small arms fire! The gun boss was hit in the zipper of his sub jacket. The metal zipper deflected the bullet and he received only a break in the skin. I received a bullet wound in the leg. It was not a direct hit; the bullet had ricocheted off the gun mount. Three others on the gun crew; including the first loader, had been hit.

I shall never forget this day. We lost one of the most highly respected men aboard the submarine. This man was lost for a 600 ton armed patrol boat, about 225 feet long!

The Commanding Officer of the Pacific Fleet sent us a radio message with a letter of Commendation on the success of our trip. It said that all the ships in the U.S. Forces should look up to us because of our valiant work. Medals were awarded for bravery during the action. The First Class Gunners Mate received a SILVER STAR for his action clearing the misfire.

It was a highly successful patrol. However, the crew was still very sad. In a crew where we try to work as one it is hard to realize that a single bullet took one of our finest officers.

We left the site of the battle and headed for Pearl Harbor for repairs, stores, ammunition - and plenty of R and R.

HARRY’s NOTE - USS SCORPION was lost with all hands on her 4th war patrol.

Many thanks to veterans like Mr. Diamond who tell their stories so we make print them for all to read, and to preserve them for all historians to follow.

Thanks also to POLARIS for permission.