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Casualty Info
Home Town Bisbee, AZ
Last Address Tuscon, AZ
Casualty Date Sep 17, 1943
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii
Wall/Plot Coordinates Court 1 (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
USS Pompano (SS-181) left for her patrol on 20 August 1943, heading towards the Japanese coast. She was never heard from again and is presumed to have been lost to enemy mines. Lieutenant McGrath was listed as Missing in Action and later declared dead 4 January 1946.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 085072
Submarine war patrols: USS Pompano (SS-181) - 1st through 7th
Silver Star
Awarded for action during World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Division: U.S.S. Pompano (SS-181)
GENERAL ORDERS: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01623 (July 11, 1943)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Thomas Patrick McGrath (NSN: 0-85072), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181) during three successive and aggressive War Patrols of that Submarine during World War II, which resulted in the sinking of an important amount of enemy shipping. On the occasion of a surface engagement with a 900-ton armed enemy patrol vessel he manned a machine gun in an exposed station and in the face of heavy enemy machine gun fire maintained an accurate and effective fire from the gun which directly contributed to the total destruction and sinking of that enemy ship. His conduct throughout these three patrols was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency has Thomas McGrath listed as a Lieutenant Commander. Although no recods could be found abour a promotion to this rank, the DPAA listing is taken from official records so it would appear LT McGrath was granted a promotion between the time the USS Pompano was lost and when LT McGrath was declared dead.
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.
From the sands of Arizona "Tiny" came to the Navy ready for a scrap. Generally as gentle as a St. Bernard, nothing suits him better on the gridiron than a fight. Tom is ambitious in both athletics and academics. Plebe year it was shadow boxing his roommate, the "Shadow;" second class year, playing with a sixteen pound ball. Tiny is kind-hearted, generous, and always ready to render aid to his classmates. Claiming he is always losing weight, he diets on four desserts. A regulation fellow, well-liked, and respected by all, the Navy has in him no better material for a leader, an officer, and a gentleman.
Football N, 4, 3, 2, 1; Manager 1; Outdoor Rifle 4, 3; Boat Club 4, 3, 2, 1; 1 Stripe.
Thomas was the Regimental Commander for both 2nd and 3rd sets.
