This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Chapple, Wreford Goss, RADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Billings, MT
Last Address Coronado, CA
Date of Passing May 20, 1991
Location of Interment U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium (VLM) - Annapolis, Maryland
US Navy Rear Admiral. Chapple graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1930. At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack Chapple was a Lt. Commander in the Submarine Service and was the Commanding Officer of the Submarine U.S.S. 38. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor Chapple's command sunk the Japanese Transport Takatiho Maru, one of the first Japanese ships sunk in the Pacific theater. At the Battle of Leyte Gulf he was the Commanding Officer of the Submarine Bream which sunk four Japanese vessels. By February of 1942 Chapple was assigned as Commanding Officer of the Submarine U.S.S. Permit SS-178. He served as her Commanding Officer until August 4, 1943. During the year and a half Chapple was Commanding Officer of the Permit he sank 4 Japanese vessels. For his wartime services Chapple was awarded two Navy Cross Medals, three Silver Stars and a Bronze Star. His last assignment was as the Commanding Officer of the heavy Cruiser Pittsburgh. He retired as a Rear Admiral in 1959. Chapple was considered one of the hero's of World War II and his exploits are featured in naval history books and his achievements provided much of the material for the 1950's television series "The Silent Service".
USS Permit (SS-178) 4th war patrol (CPP not authorized)
Date
Feb 22, 1942
Last Updated: Jul 29, 2022
Comments
22 Feb 1942 USS Permit (Lt.Cdr. Wreford Goss Chapple) left Surabaya for her 4th war patrol. 13 Mar 1942 USS Permit (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) sinks the disabled US motor torpedo boat USS PT 32 with gunfire 1 nautical mile south-west of Taguayan Island, Philippines in position 10º58'N, 121º12'E. 16 Mar 1942 USS Permit (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) delivers ammunition to Corregidor and evacuates some 40 officers and men. Permit also had the 7 crewmen of the motor torpedo boat PT 32 on board. Permit was so overcrowded the Commanding Officer was actually reprimanded upon arrival in Australia because of endangering his ship. 6 Apr 1942 USS Permit (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) ended her fourth war patrol at Fremantle, Australia