Ned Potter is the science correspondent for ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson." He has reported on such topics as space exploration, the human genome and climate change.
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The Final Resting Place of a Submarine
October 03, 2008 4:09 PM
"Overdue and Presumed Lost." In World War II those were the most feared -- and perhaps also most ambiguous -- words the families of a submarine crew could hear.
On July 30, 1942, the USS Grunion was in the Aleutian Islands of southwestern Alaska. It was a new submarine on its very first war patrol. It reported "heavy antisubmarine activity," was sent orders to head for the port of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and was never heard from again. On August 16 it was listed as overdue and presumed lost. 70 crew members died.
And that would have been, as in too many other cases, the final, desperately sad end to the story, if not for the determination of some of the crew's children -- in particular, the sons of the Grunion's commanding officer.
Lt. Commander Mannert Abele left behind three boys, Bruce, Brad and John, and they decided to search for the Grunion. Unlike most other families, they had the means to mount a search on their own; John Abele was co-founder of Boston Scientific, a well-known maker of medical devices.
The brothers did extensive research, talked to Japanese naval historians, and organized search expeditions. In 2006, using side-scan sonar, they located a wreck a mile down, off the island of Kiska, Alaska. Now the Pacific Command of the U.S. Navy has put out word confirming it is the Grunion.
"We hope this announcement will help to give closure to the families of the 70 crewmen of Grunion,” said Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny, Commander, Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet, in a statement.
But, of course, closure can be elusive. Brad Abele has passed away since the find was made. The Grunion was probably sunk by fire from a Japanese ship, but the Navy says it cannot confirm what happened. The wreck, like many others, will remain on the ocean floor.
The Naval Historical Center put out a statement that said in part, “no amount of analysis or speculation will change or alter the fact that families lost fathers, husbands, uncles and brothers...the Navy and the nation will always be grateful for their service and their sacrifice.”
(Photo above, of the USS Grunion in 1942, courtesy U.S. Navy.)
October 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (43)
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Rest in peace my friends.
The Japanese paid for there mistakes.
Ken
Posted by: whitelightning | Oct 3, 2008 4:37:27 PM
Amazing feat. How deep is it?
Posted by: euro.guy | Oct 3, 2008 4:38:10 PM
Glad the children were able to locate the sub their father commanded.
Posted by: php mysql consultant | Oct 3, 2008 4:47:22 PM
Wow, how awesome is this?!? Thank you Abele men for your loving dedication to your father. I hope all the families of the other veterans lost at sea will be grateful too.
Posted by: Paula | Oct 3, 2008 4:50:19 PM
Note from Ned Potter--
Hello, Euro.guy. The wreck was in about 5,000 feet of water. The Abeles say they figured out the location with the help of a private Japanese historian who had done research on the ship with which the Grunion was believed to have done battle.
Posted by: Ned Potter | Oct 3, 2008 4:52:20 PM
How many lives I wonder have our great oceans taken into their arms. Peace.
Posted by: ProudAmerican | Oct 3, 2008 5:03:05 PM
God rest their brave souls
Posted by: aa | Oct 3, 2008 5:04:45 PM
Thank you Mr. Potter. The Grunion is a shrine to brave sailors.
Posted by: euro.guy | Oct 3, 2008 5:11:58 PM
It is amazing that during the fury of battle, commanders keep accurate log of evens. Amazing.
Posted by: euro.guy | Oct 3, 2008 5:29:53 PM
Amen. May they all rest in peace for their bravery.
Posted by: Mona | Oct 3, 2008 5:30:54 PM
I would rather hear about these types of stories than anything going on with our political system. Good Work!
Posted by: mario | Oct 3, 2008 5:34:37 PM
I agree with all that has been said, but is it wrong to want to know more and try to discover exactly what happened?
Posted by: Herb | Oct 3, 2008 5:54:44 PM
God Rest to the brave crew of the USS Grunion.
Posted by: Mike | Oct 3, 2008 6:02:23 PM
Such a nobel sacriface. I'm glad they can be honored and thier memory presevered by this amazing find.
Posted by: freedomfighter1975 | Oct 3, 2008 6:12:30 PM
Whether by enemy fire or not, they died trying to protect their country from an actual enemy in very grave times. We must be thankful for their bravery, their willingness to defend their country, and their personal sacrifice.
Posted by: Jordan | Oct 3, 2008 6:20:41 PM
It is wonderful to honor these brave young sailors by identifying their ship.
Posted by: euro.guy | Oct 3, 2008 6:33:20 PM
"Oh hear us, when we cry for thee....For those in peril on the sea........"
thank you to the families and to the sailors, for their sacrifice & for their contributions during the war. May they rest in peace....
God Bless America & God Bless Her Troops!
Posted by: Born in America | Oct 3, 2008 6:47:57 PM
"The wreck, like many others, will remain on the ocean floor."
A monument to the men & women of our armed services.
Salute! May God rest their eternal souls.
Amen.
Posted by: eugene | Oct 3, 2008 7:00:42 PM
God bless, and thank you.
Posted by: tony | Oct 3, 2008 8:01:29 PM
Anytime there's war, Ken, all humanity pays for the mistake of the warmongers. No matter what side of the issue you're on. There are NO good sides in war. They're all inhumane. Like the song goes, "War! What is it good for? Absolutely NOTHING!!" Even with all the advanced technology, War just proves how barbaric mankind remains and will mostly likely forever be.
Posted by: Why_WarQ | Oct 3, 2008 8:20:04 PM
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