Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Description USS Bream (SS-243)
Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Following repairs, refitting, and training, Bream began her second patrol on 21 July, when she got underway for waters off the southern Philippin... USS Bream (SS-243)
Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Following repairs, refitting, and training, Bream began her second patrol on 21 July, when she got underway for waters off the southern Philippines. On 29 July, the submarine had almost reached the entrance to the Davao Gulf when flames broke out in the maneuvering room. Centered over the port main motor, the fire ignited cork and auxiliary cable insulation in the overhead. Fifteen minutes after it broke out, the blaze was extinguished. Fortunately, the damage was not serious enough to force the submarine to terminate her patrol, and she sailed on to the coast of Mindanao.
On 7 August, Bream moved to an area off Davao Gulf in an attempt to intercept traffic coming from the Palaus. She encountered enemy ships but expended no torpedoes. On the morning of 26 August, as she retired toward Fremantle, Australia, the submarine spotted a Japanese airplane. The enemy plane dropped a bomb which exploded nearby the diving submarine, raised Bream's stern about 20 feet, and shook her severely. A second bomb also detonated nearby and inflicted considerable damage. Nevertheless, the submarine put into Brisbane safely on 6 September. MoreHide
Criteria The Good Conduct Medal was initially awarded to enlisted men of the Navy who completed a second (or subsequent) enlistment of three years under Continuous Service; obtained a general average of 4.5 on... The Good Conduct Medal was initially awarded to enlisted men of the Navy who completed a second (or subsequent) enlistment of three years under Continuous Service; obtained a general average of 4.5 on their Conduct Records, and who were recommended by their commanding officer. In time it came to be awarded for the honorable completion of a fixed term of service. MoreHide
Chain of Command
Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Other Memories
Following shakedown training in the New London area, Bream set out for the Pacific on 10 March and reached the Canal Zone on 20 March. She completed another series of exercises before transiting the Canal on 10 April and continuing on to Brisbane, Australia, where she arrived on 8 May. Two days later, the warship left Australia, bound for New Guinea. She reached Milne Bay on the 14th and underwent voyage repairs alongside Euryale (AS-22).
Upon completion of that work, Bream sailed for the Admiralty Islands, reached Seeadler Harbor on 29 May, and began preparations for her first war patrol. On 1 June, she got underway for a patrol in the vicinity of Halmahera Island. The submarine made several contacts with enemy vessels in Morotai Strait, but conditions prevented her from taking any offensive action. Her luck changed on 8 June, however, when she spotted a convoy, selected a transport as a target, and unleashed a six-torpedo spread. Members of Bream's crew heard one loud explosion before she went deep, and several depth charges detonated nearby the submarine, but she survived unscathed. Postwar study of Japanese records failed to confirm a kill.
Five days later, while Bream tracked another convoy, a depth-charge barrage forced her to break off pursuit before she could maneuver into position. Her luck improved again on 16 June when the submarine next encountered a Japanese convoy. She fired torpedoes at two transports, and breaking-up noises reverberated throughout the submarine shortly thereafter as the 5,704-ton Japanese freighter, Yuki Maru, disintegrated and went to the bottom. Several days after that attack, damage to a hatch gasket in her conning tower--while the submarine was submerged--let water to flood into her pump room and knock out all electrical power in the room. This forced Bream to head for Seeadler Harbor where she arrived on 29 June. Work correcting the damage began shortly thereafter.
Following repairs, refitting, and training, Bream began her second patrol on 21 July, when she got underway for waters off the southern Philippines. On 29 July, the submarine had almost reached the entrance to the Davao Gulf when flames broke out in the maneuvering room. Centered over the port main motor, the fire ignited cork and auxiliary cable insulation in the overhead. Fifteen minutes after it broke out, the blaze was extinguished. Fortunately, the damage was not serious enough to force the submarine to terminate her patrol, and she sailed on to the coast of Mindanao.
On 7 August, Bream moved to an area off Davao Gulf in an attempt to intercept traffic coming from the Palaus. She encountered enemy ships but expended no torpedoes. On the morning of 26 August, as she retired toward Fremantle, Australia, the submarine spotted a Japanese airplane. The enemy plane dropped a bomb which exploded nearby the diving submarine, raised Bream's stern about 20 feet, and shook her severely. A second bomb also detonated nearby and inflicted considerable damage. Nevertheless, the submarine put into Brisbane safely on 6 September.
Bream underwent a refit by tender Euryale before getting underway for Darwin, Australia, on 2 October. She paused at the latter port on the 9th for minor repairs and refueling before continuing on to her patrol area off the Philippines between the northern end of Palawan Passage and Manila. On 16 October, she sighted a two-masted barge with an escort but decided to let them pass to avoid alerting more worthy targets of her presence.
On 23 October, three large ships?two Japanese light cruisers and one heavy cruiser?appeared on Bream?s radarscope. One of the enemy warships approached the submarine to within 800 yards on her port quarter before Bream fired six torpedoes at the tempting target. Soon thereafter, the submarine?s crew heard three loud explosions and believed that they had destroyed an enemy cruiser. A study of Japanese records after the war revealed that Bream had damaged the Japanese heavy cruiser Aoba severely enough to keep her from participating in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. The submarine endured intermittent depth charging over the next five hours, but she suffered no damage.
While continuing her patrol the next day, Bream picked up six survivors of a Japanese ship sunk several days before by Bluegill (SS-242). On the 25th, she moved into position in an attempt to intercept the Japanese fleet retiring from battles in Philippine waters. On 30 October, the submarine spotted a convoy, fired a six-torpedo spread at a large transport, and went deep to avoid depth charges. Her torpedoes damaged the target, but she was able to continue under her own power.
On 4 November, the submarine fired four torpedoes at another enemy transport, but none found the mark. After weathering a total of eight depth charges, she eluded her pursuers and resumed her patrol. Two days later, Bream came upon two Japanese cruisers and began closing for an attack on the leading ship. After careful maneuvering to avoid the cruiser?s escorts, the submarine fired four torpedoes. Some crewmen reported three explosions, but no damage seems to have resulted. The submarine then shaped a course for Fremantle, where she arrived on 22 November.
Following refit and training, Bream commenced her fourth patrol on 19 December. She entered Exmouth Gulf on the 22d and refueled there that same day. She continued on through Lombok Strait, entered the Java Sea, spotted a sailboat on the 31st, and decided to attack it with her 4-inch gun. During the action, an enemy plane approached, forcing Bream to cease fire and dive.
On 9 January 1945, the submarine began patrolling the western approaches to Balabac Strait. After four uneventful days, Bream moved to the northern end of the strait but again made no contacts and so shifted to Miri, Borneo, for reconnaissance work. She sighted a large vessel on the 24th, but the contact proved to be a hospital ship. The submarine transited Lombok Strait on 4 February; paused at Onslow, Australia, for refueling two days later; and finally arrived back at Fremantle on 10 February.
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Description USS Bream (SS-243)
Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Upon completion of that work, Bream sailed for the Admiralty Islands, reached Seeadler Harbor on 29 May, and began preparations for her first war... USS Bream (SS-243)
Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Upon completion of that work, Bream sailed for the Admiralty Islands, reached Seeadler Harbor on 29 May, and began preparations for her first war patrol. On 1 June, she got underway for a patrol in the vicinity of Halmahera Island. The submarine made several contacts with enemy vessels in Morotai Strait, but conditions prevented her from taking any offensive action. Her luck changed on 8 June, however, when she spotted a convoy, selected a transport as a target, and unleashed a six-torpedo spread. Members of Bream's crew heard one loud explosion before she went deep, and several depth charges detonated nearby the submarine, but she survived unscathed. Postwar study of Japanese records failed to confirm a kill.
Five days later, while Bream tracked another convoy, a depth-charge barrage forced her to break off pursuit before she could maneuver into position. Her luck improved again on 16 June when the submarine next encountered a Japanese convoy. She fired torpedoes at two transports, and breaking-up noises reverberated throughout the submarine shortly thereafter as the 5,704-ton Japanese freighter, Yuki Maru, disintegrated and went to the bottom. Several days after that attack, damage to a hatch gasket in her conning tower--while the submarine was submerged--let water to flood into her pump room and knock out all electrical power in the room. This forced Bream to head for Seeadler Harbor where she arrived on 29 June. Work correcting the damage began shortly thereafter. MoreHide
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Description USS Bream (SS-243)
Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Bream underwent a refit by tender Euryale before getting underway for Darwin, Australia, on 2 October. She paused at the latter port on the 9th f... USS Bream (SS-243)
Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Bream underwent a refit by tender Euryale before getting underway for Darwin, Australia, on 2 October. She paused at the latter port on the 9th for minor repairs and refueling before continuing on to her patrol area off the Philippines between the northern end of Palawan Passage and Manila. On 16 October, she sighted a two-masted barge with an escort but decided to let them pass to avoid alerting more worthy targets of her presence.
On 23 October, three large ships?two Japanese light cruisers and one heavy cruiser?appeared on Bream?s radarscope. One of the enemy warships approached the submarine to within 800 yards on her port quarter before Bream fired six torpedoes at the tempting target. Soon thereafter, the submarine?s crew heard three loud explosions and believed that they had destroyed an enemy cruiser. A study of Japanese records after the war revealed that Bream had damaged the Japanese heavy cruiser Aoba severely enough to keep her from participating in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. The submarine endured intermittent depth charging over the next five hours, but she suffered no damage.
While continuing her patrol the next day, Bream picked up six survivors of a Japanese ship sunk several days before by Bluegill (SS-242). On the 25th, she moved into position in an attempt to intercept the Japanese fleet retiring from battles in Philippine waters. On 30 October, the submarine spotted a convoy, fired a six-torpedo spread at a large transport, and went deep to avoid depth charges. Her torpedoes damaged the target, but she was able to continue under her own power.
On 4 November, the submarine fired four torpedoes at another enemy transport, but none found the mark. After weathering a total of eight depth charges, she eluded her pursuers and resumed her patrol. Two days later, Bream came upon two Japanese cruisers and began closing for an attack on the leading ship. After careful maneuvering to avoid the cruiser?s escorts, the submarine fired four torpedoes. Some crewmen reported three explosions, but no damage seems to have resulted. The submarine then shaped a course for Fremantle, where she arrived on 22 November. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Philippine Liberation Medal was awarded for service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945. In order to qualify, one of the following provisions must be m... The Philippine Liberation Medal was awarded for service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945. In order to qualify, one of the following provisions must be met: Participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjoining islands from October 7-20, 1944; or, Participation in any engagement against the enemy during the Philippine Liberation Campaign; or, Service in the Philippine Islands or in ships in Philippine wates for not less than 30 days during the period of October 17, 1944 to September 2, 1945. MoreHide
Description
USS Bream (SS-243) Comdr. Wreford G. Chapple in command.
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Not Ship's Company - Assigned to CSD 182 relief crew; Flag aboard this command.