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Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Smith, Thomas Luther, BMC.
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Philippine Islands Campaign (1941-42)/Battle of the Philippines
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
May / 1942
Description American Forces relentless effort to hold the Philippine Islands against an overwhelming Japanese Force. The Japanese eventually forced an American Surrender.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
May / 1942
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories On 28 November 1941 â?? Argonaut, commanded by Stephen G. Barchet â?? left Pearl Harbor and was on patrol near Midway Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. After sunset on 7 December, Argonaut surfaced and heard naval gunfire around Midway. It was assumed the Japanese were landing a large invasion force. Argonaut then submerged to make a sonar approach to the "invasion force." While designed to be a minelayer and not an attack submarine, Argonaut made the first wartime approach on enemy naval forces.
The "invasion force" turned out to be two Japanese destroyers whose mission was shore bombardment on Midway. The ships may have detected Argonaut, and one passed close by the submarine. They completed the bombardment then retired before Argonaut could make a second approach.
One week later, Argonaut made contact with three or four Japanese destroyers. Barchet wisely decided not to attack. On 22 January 1942, she returned to Pearl Harbor and, after a brief stop, proceeded to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for major overhaul. While there, her diesels were replaced with Winton 12-258Ss[11] and her minelaying gear was removed.[9] She was also fitted with a Torpedo Data Computer[11] (lack of which likely inhibited her ability to score with torpedoes), new electronics,[11] and two external torpedo tubes for storage.[11] On return to Pearl Harbor, she was "hastily converted" to a troop transport submarine
