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Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Crutchfield, Jack Randolph, LT.
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Casualty Info
Home Town San Diego, CA
Last Address 671 Alameda Blvd Coronada San Diego CA (Wife~Barbra B Crutchfield)
Casualty Date Apr 09, 1943
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Lost At Sea-Unrecovered
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates Tablets of the Missing (cenotaph)
On 16 February 1943, USS TRITON (SS-201) departed Brisbane, Australia, on her sixth war patrol. Her assigned area: the waters around Papua New Guinea.
On 6 March, after sinking the Japanese cargo vessel Kiriha Maru, the boat was forced deep when one of her torpedoes made a circular run. For the next nine days she contended with a variety of enemy ships and believed that at least five of the eight torpedoes she expended hit their mark. On 15 March, USS TRIGGER (SS-237), which was operating in an area near TRITON, reported that she had experienced heavy depth charging after attacking a convoy. The attacks continued in the distance for an hour after they stopped in TRIGGER’s vicinity.
Several weeks later a welcoming committee—complete with a band, fresh fruit, and ice cream—gathered on the pier and waited for TRITON to appear as scheduled. She never did. She was reported overdue and presumed lost on 10 April. The cause of her sinking has been in dispute ever since. Japanese records examined after the war’s end indicate that three Japanese destroyers attacked a sub in TRITON’s general area on 15 March. Sailors aboard the ships subsequently observed an oil slick and debris with words in English. Although this sub could have been TRITON, others argue that she may have been lost to a second circular-running torpedo like the one she dealt with on 6 March; two other American submarines, USS TULLIBEE (SS-284) and USS TANG (SS-306) suffered that fate in 1944.
Regardless of what happened, TRITON, the recipient of five battle stars for her wartime service, took 74 men to the bottom with her.
Comments/Citation:
Name of Award
Silver Star X2
Year Awarded
1942 & 1943
Details behind Award:
Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Jack Randolph Crutchfield (NSN: 0-77067), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in the line of his profession as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. TRITON (SS-201), during the highly successful THIRD War Patrol of that Submarine from 13 April to 14 June 1942. Through his painstaking efforts and effective indoctrination and training of all personnel connected with the submerged ship control party he was enabled to maintain depth and trim control under most adverse and difficult conditions during three separate severe depth charge attacks. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 26 (November 27, 1942) Action Date: April 13 - June 14, 1942 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Duty: Diving Officer Division: U.S.S. Triton (SS-201)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Jack Randolph Crutchfield (NSN: 0-77067), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. TRITON (SS-201), during the FOURTH, FIFTH, and SIXTH War Patrols of that Submarine from 24 June 1942 until March 1943. As engineer and Electrical Officer during these War Patrols, his efficient maintenance of the equipment in his department maintained that department in an excellent state of material readiness and reliability, and able to meet the demands placed upon it throughout all patrols, and attacks made against enemy shipping. As Diving Officer, his painstaking efforts and most effective indoctrination and training of all personnel connected with the submerged ship's control party, enabled him to maintain depth and trim control of his vessel under the most adverse and difficult conditions during severe depth-charge attacks, thereby permitting successful evasion of enemy anti-submarine measures. His courage and high degree of skill, directly contributed to his ship's successful attacks upon enemy ships which resulted in the sinking of seven enemy ships, including two destroyers, totaling 20,408 tons and damaging two enemy ships totaling 14,200 tons. His conduct and devotion to duty during these war patrols were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 04780 (September 21, 1944)\ Action Date: June 24, 1942 - March 1943 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Duty: Diving Officer Division: U.S.S. Triton (SS-201)
