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 Bream (SS-243) 3rd War Patrol (CPP authorized)
Date
Oct 2, 1944
Last Updated: Jul 29, 2022
Comments
2 Oct 1944 USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) departs Brisbane for her 3rd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the central Philippines. 9 Oct 1944 USS Bream (Lt Cmdr Wreford Goss Chapple) refuels at Darwin, Australia. 23 Oct 1944 USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) torpedoes and damages the Japanese heavy cruiser Aoba (offsite link) off Manila Bay in position 14º06'N, 119º37'E. 4 Nov 1944 USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple), USS Guitarro and USS Ray shared the sinking of the Japanese transport ship Kagu Maru (6806 GRT, offsite link) off Dasol Bay, Philippines in position 15º55'N, 119º44'E. 6 Nov 1944 USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple), USS Guitarro and USS Raton torpedo and damage the Japanese heavy cruiser Kumano (offsite link) west of Lingayen, Philippines in position 16º11'N, 119º44'E. 22 Nov 1944 USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) ends her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.