SAUNDERS, Paul Golden, GMC

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
This is a Remembrance Profile of Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, US Navy 1936 to 1962.

Chief Paul Golden (Swish) Saunders (January 12, 1918 to August 9, 2003) was a highly decorated United States Navy submarine sailor who was twice awarded the Silver Star medal during World War II.

Paul enlisted in the Navy as soon as he finished high school in 1936 and served for 26 years before retiring as GMGC(SS) (Chief Gunners Mate Guns, Submarine Service).

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
The following are his known assignments. If any other duty stations are located they will be added to the list:

1936-1936, Recruit Training Center (RTC) Great Lakes.
1936-1937, Gunnery/Gunners Mate A School.
1937-1937, USS Raleigh (CL-7).
1938-1938, USS Mccook (DD-252).
1939-1939, USS Sampson (DD-394).
1939-1940, Submarine School Enlisted.
1940-1941, Submarine/USS R-4 (SS-81).
1942-1945, Submarine/USS Barb (SS-220).
1946-1946, Submarine/USS Cusk (SS-348) and again.
1950-1950, Submarine/USS Cusk (SS-348).
1953-1957, Submarine/USS Carbonero (SS-337).
1961-1962, Submarine/USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600).

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
While aboard the submarine USS Barb (SS-220) 1942-1945, Chief Saunders participated in twelve war patrols along with several special missions. One of the most spectacular was a demolition team which went ashore on main land Japan and bombed railroad tracks derailing a troop train full of Japanese soldiers.

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
Paul spent four years aboard the USS Barb (SS-220) and during that time he was awarded two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star and Navy Commendation (both with combat "V"s).

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
Paul was the Chief Gunners' Mate of a demolition party on the main land of Japan setting explosives under the tracks in order to derail a troop train. It was not only a successful mission. It was the only time American troops invaded Japan's homeland.

IT'S HARD TO STOP A TRAIN. It's even more unlikely to do it with a submarine, but the crew of the BARB did just that. It was Chief Saunders who placed those charges. An event not to be forgotten.

Attached is the USS Barb's Battle Flag. If you enlarge the flag, by clicking on the image and look closely at the center bottom you will see listed: 1 TRAIN.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
Chief Saunders wore no less than five Valor decorations, they included:
Two Silver Stars.
Bronze Star with V.
Navy Commendation with V.

Paul was on board the USS Barb (SS-220) during all twelve of its War Patrols. 5 in the Atlantic and 7 in the Pacific Theater.

Photo: Presentation of awards to officers and crew of the USS Barb (SS-220) by V. Adm. Charles A. Lockwood Jr, USN.

L-R, Comdr Eugene B. Fluckey, USN awarded Navy Cross, Lt Paul M. Monroe Jr, USNR, Bronze Star, P.G. Saunders, CGM, USN, Bronze Star, Starkes, CMoMM, Commendation Ribbons: W.E. Donnally, CPhM, USN, and B.M. Murphy GM2/c, USN.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
The Bronze Star with combat "V" was awarded for the demolition of train tracks and the derailment of a troop train. Shown here is Chief Saunders receiving that award on the USS Barb (SS-220) in 1945.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
The commanding officer of the USS Barb, Commander Eugene B. Fluckey, was a colorful and exciting man to work for. During the time Chief Saunders worked for Gene Fluckey the commander received 4 Navy Crosses and the Medal of Honor. In addition to Chief Saunders personal awards the USS Barb received both the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation.

In the attached photo, Commander Gene Fluckey is on the far right. He retired in 1972 at the rank of Rear Admiral. His book, Thunder Below! (1992), depicts the exploits of his beloved Barb."Though the tally shows more shells, bombs, and depth charges fired at Barb, no one received the Purple Heart and Barb came back alive, eager, and ready to fight again." Proceeds from the sale of this exciting book have been used by Admiral Fluckey to provide free reunions for the men who served him aboard the Barb, and their wives.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
Here is a short story written by another sailor who met Chief Saunders over thirty years after the chief had retired. He said:

I remember a nice fall day in the late 1990's when I was walking through a seafood and Arts & Crafts Festival in a small Florida town on the upper west coast. An older guy was walking toward me and he was wearing a cap that had SS-220 on the front. I pointed at him and said, "You rode the BARB under Gene Fluckey!"

He stood up as tall as 5 foot 6 inches could stand, and replied, "Best damn Skipper in the fleet!"

I asked if he had been on the patrol where GENE FLUCKEY sent eight men ashore, the first and only time that uniformed American military personnel set foot on the Home Islands of Japan during World War II. The men were to place an explosive charge under the tracks where a troop train passed early every morning, bringing fresh Japanese troops to board ships to fight against the US Marines. An impish smile crossed his face and he said, "I'm the guy who put the charge under the rails!"

This was PAUL "Swish" SAUNDERS, Chief of the Boat, USS BARB. He was a real salty sailor, almost a character out of a paperback novel, but he loved his former Skipper, his former crew and his old ride, USS BARB. He was with Sharkhunters for many years and he loved his Membership as well.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
Post WWII found Paul working in the development of the launching systems for KGW-1 Loon, which was an adaptation of the US Army's JB-2 Doodle Bug, Regulus, and Polaris missiles.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
Paul Saunders was a member of Submarine Veterans of WWII and also a member of United States Submarine Veterans, Inc., Nautilus Base.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
This is a Remembrance Profile of Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, US Navy 1936 to 1962.

Chief Saunders received his final set of orders 09 Aug 2003 and departed on Eternal Patrol from his home in Dunnellon, Florida following a lengthy illness.

Sailor, rest your oars.

Thank you for stopping by.

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