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Casualty Info
Home Town Brooklyn, NY
Last Address 2515 Broadway Huntington Park, CA
Casualty Date Oct 24, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Torpedoed
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:
USS Tang (SS-306) was on her fifth war patrol when she came upon a Japanese convoy. On the morning of 24 October 1944 she had sunk three ships when she fired her 24th and last torpedo. That torpedo turned to the left, making a circular turn. Tang tried to clear the path of the torpedo, but was struck by her own torpedo and sank. Nine men survived, and spent the war as Prisoners of War. Lieutenant Springer was listed as missing in action and later declared dead 7 December 1945.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 095559
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Tang (SS-306)
General Orders: Submarine Force Board of Awards: Serial 846 (October 12, 1946)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Frank Howard Springer (NSN: 0-95559), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. TANG (SS-306), on the FIFTH and final War Patrol of that submarine during the period 24 September 1944 to 25 October 1944, most of which time was spent in the Formosa Strait. Lieutenant Commander Springer's skill and efficiency in the high performance of his duties were of invaluable assistance to his Commanding Officer in conducting eminently successful attacks which classify this War Patrol among the greatest submarine cruises of all time. With only the protection afforded by a dark night he conned his submarine on the surface to the very center of two large, well armed, heavily escorted convoys carrying troops and supplies to enemy forces in the Philippines, thereby making possible the sinking of the major units of both convoys and greatly aiding in the establishment of TANG's patrol record of twenty-two hits on the enemy out of twenty-four torpedoes fired. This unparalleled performance resulted in the sinking of thirteen ships including one destroyer at a time when the enemy could ill afford to lose a single unit. His conduct throughout was in inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
