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Michael Currant (mikey), PR2
to remember
Elder, James Edward, Y2c.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Ottawa, KS
Last Address Ottawa, KS
Casualty Date Aug 08, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
The USS Flier (SS-250) was on her second war patrol when she was rocked by a great explosion while traveling through the Balabac Strait. She sank in one minute and all but 13 officers and men were lost with the boat. Yeoman Second Class Elder was listed as Missing in Action and later declared dead 19 January 1946.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 3425765
Navy Unit Commendation
For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese shipping and combatant units during her Fourth War Patrol in the Celebes and Sulu Seas from April 30 to June 21, 1944. Operating in bold defiance of persistent and severe hostile counter measures, the USS Puffer daringly struck at heavily escorted Japanese convoys. Going in despite relentless opposition, she penetrated the enemy's formidable screens to press home her attacks, launching her torpedoes with devastating speed and precision to sink numerous valuable units of the Japanese Fleet. Skillfully handled by her valiant officers and men, she withstood merciless depth charges and repeatedly returned to deliver crushing blows to the enemy's vital life lines of supply. Her gallant fighting spirit and intrepid devotion to duty were exemplified in an outstanding combat record in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Flier reached Pearl Harbor from New London, Connecticut on 20 December 1943 and prepared for her first war patrol, sailing on 12 January 1944. However, the submarine ran aground near Midway Island on 16 January. USS Macaw, a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship, attempted to pull Flier free but ran aground herself and sank. Flier was eventually saved by USS Florikan and towed to first Pearl Harbor and then to Mare Island Navy Yard for repairs. On 21 May, she sailed again for action, heading for a patrol area west of Luzon. She made her first contact on 4 June, attacking a well-escorted convoy of five merchantmen. Firing three torpedoes at each of two ships, she sent the transportHakusan Maru to the bottom and scored a hit on another ship before clearing the area to evade countermeasures.
On 13 June 1944, Flier attacked a convoy of 11 ships, cargo carriers and tankers, guarded by at least six escorts. The alert behavior of the escorts during the attack resulted in a severe counterattack on Flier before she could observe what damage she had done to the convoy. On 22 June, she began a long chase after another large convoy, scoring four hits for six torpedoes fired at two cargo ships that day, and three hits for four torpedoes launched against another cargo ship of the same convoy the next day.
On 1 February 2009, the U.S. Navy announced the discovery of
Flier near the Philippines' Balabac Strait(7°58′43.21″N117°15′23.79″E)Coordinates: 7°58′43.21″N117°15′23.79″E. The discovery of a Gato-class submarine was made during an expedition by YAP Films, based in part on information provided by a survivor of the sinking of Flier. Further research by the Naval History and Heritage Commandrevealed that no other submarine, American or Japanese, had been reported lost in that general vicinity. In addition, footage of the wreck showed a gun mount and radar antenna, both of which were similar to the same equipment seen in contemporary photographs of Flier. The ship rests in 330 ft (100 m) of water.
Flier Survivors
LT James W. Liddle, CDR John Daniel Crowley, ENS Alvin E. Jacobson
James Dello Russo, QM3; Wesley Bruce Miller, MoMM3; Earl R. Baumgart, MoMM3;
Arthur Gibson Howell, CRT(AA). Not pictured: Donald Paul Tremaine, FC2
Flier received one battle star for World War II service on her single complete war patrol, designated "Successful." She is credited with having sunk 10,380 tons of Japanese shipping.
