While far out at sea on the night of Christmas Eve 1942, during her fouth patrol, the Silversides (SS-236) pharmacist's mate, Thomas Moore, performed a successful emergency appendectomy on Seaman George Platter. The event was recorded by Lt. Robert K.R. Worthington, who was entrusted with the submarine's only camera, a Kodak Medalist.
Of the three appendectomies performed at sea on board U.S. submarines during World War II, the Silversides was the only one to be photographed.
The shirtless sailor in the background of the top photo is Bob Detmers, the one on the right is Albert Stegall. The appendectomy was performed at a depth of 150 feet and took about four hours but was successful. George Platter was standing watches again six days later and lived to a ripe old age.
