Church, Ray William, MoMM1c

USS Bullhead (SS-332) began her third and final patrol on 31 July 1945. The last contact with the boat was on 2 August. Post war Japanese records show that a plane depth charged and presumably sunk an American Submarine on 6 August, the same day the Atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Motor Machinist's Mate First Class Church was listed as Missing in Action and officially declared dead 23 August 1946.

Service number: 3166940

Submarine war patrols:
USS Plunger (SS-179) - 6th through 8th
USS Pogy (SS-266) - 4th through 6th
USS Bullhead (SS-332) - 1st through 3rd

Navy Unit Commendation
For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese shipping and combatant units, during her Fifth War Patrol in the East China Sea Area, from January 15 to March 8, 1944, and her Sixth War Patrol souteast of Japan, from April 7 to May 29, 1944. Aggressive and determined in covering her assigned areas, the USS Pogy pressed home vigorous attacks in the face of the enemy's violent countermeasures; and although sustaining wounds under the smashing force of enemy depth charges, she launched her torpedoes with devastaing speed and skill, sinking eight vessels, including a Mutusuki Class Destroyer and a Fleet Type Submarine for a total of nearly 45,000 tons and severely damaging two other ships totalling approximately 14,000 tons. The Pogy's outstanding record in combat exemplifies the skill and fearless devotion to duty of her officers and men and reflects the highest credit upon herself and the United States Naval Service.

The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.