Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. 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
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
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
Description USS Corvina (SS-226), a Gato-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the corvina, any of various important food fishes related to the weakfish and the croaker of tUSS Corvina (SS-226), a Gato-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the corvina, any of various important food fishes related to the weakfish and the croaker of the Atlantic coast.
Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut on 21 September 1942. She was launched on 9 May 1943 (sponsored by Mrs. R. W. Christie), and commissioned on 6 August 1943 with Commander Roderick S. Rooney (Class of 1929) in command.
Clearing New London, Connecticut, on 18 September 1943, Corvina arrived at Pearl Harbor on 14 October. She put out from Pearl Harbor on her maiden war patrol 4 November, topped off her fuel tanks at Johnston Island two days later, and was never heard from again.
Her assignment had been a dangerous one: to patrol as closely as possible to the heavily guarded stronghold of Truk and to intercept any Japanese sortie endangering the forthcoming American invasion of the Gilbert Islands. Japanese records report that Japanese submarine I-176 launched three torpedoes at an enemy submarine south of Truk on 16 November, claiming two hits which resulted in the explosion of the target. Her loss with her crew of 82 was announced 14 March 1944, making Corvina the only American submarine to be sunk by a Japanese submarine in the entire war.
The loss of the Corvina is referenced in the 1951 John Wayne film Operation Pacific. In the film, the fictitious Gato class sub USS Thunderfish makes an impromptu rendezvous with the Corvina after the Corvina had reported problems on Number 1 Main Engine. The subs exchange engine parts and the captains also exchange films, John Wayne offering George Washington Slept Here, and the Corvina's captain offering "a submarine picture", later revealed to be the 1943 film Destination Tokyo. Later, while the crew of the Thunderfish are watching Destination Tokyo, John Wayne is shown trying to figure out torpedo explosions reported by the sub's sonar operator. The following day, the Thunderfish comes across wreckage, and discovers the case containing George Washington Slept Here, revealing that the Corvina had been sunk. The Thunderfish's radar then reports a single contact, and the sub submerges. John Wayne discovers "one I-type Jap submarine" while looking through the periscope. The Thunderfish then engages, torpedoes, and sinks the Japanese sub, avenging the loss of the Corvina.... More
