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Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Thrasher, Robert Theodore, PO1.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Jersey City
Last Address 72 Grove St New London, CT
Casualty Date Mar 05, 1943
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 Grampus (SS-207) left on her sixth war patrol 11 February 1943, operating off of New Britain. There are conflicting accounts of when she was sunk but she was declared missing 3 March 1943, and struck from the Navy list on 21 June 1943. Torpedoman's Mate First Class Thrasher was listed as Missing in Action and later declared dead 19 January 1946.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 3211336
Northern Solomon Islands Campaign (1943-44)/Sinking of the USS Grampus (SS-207)
From Month/Year
March / 1943
To Month/Year
March / 1943
Description USS Grampus (SS-207), a Tambor-class submarine, was the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for a member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae): Grampus griseus, also known as Risso's dolphin.
Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 23 December 1940 (sponsored by Mrs. Clark H. Woodward) and commissioned on 23 May 1941 at New London, Connecticut, with Lieutenant Commander Edward S. Hutchinson in command. Grampus received three battle stars for World War II service. Her first, fourth, and fifth war patrols were designated successful.
In company with Grayback, Grampus departed Brisbane on 11 February 1943, for her sixth war patrol from which she failed to return; the manner of her loss still remains a mystery. Japanese seaplanes reported sinking a submarine on 18 February in Grampus' patrol area, but Grayback reported seeing Grampus in that same area 4 March. On 5 March 1943, the Japanese destroyers Minegumo and Murasame conducted an attack preceding the Battle of Blackett Strait, near Kolombangara island. A heavy oil slick was sighted there the following day, indicating that Grampus may have been lost there in a night attack or gun battle against the destroyers. The Japanese destroyers had by then already been sunk in a night action with U.S. cruisers and destroyers.
When repeated attempts failed to contact Grampus, the submarine was declared missing and presumed lost with all hands. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 21 June 1943.
