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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Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Posted by: Keightee | Oct 3, 2008 8:24:57 PM
Thanks ABC, I needed that. Kinda puts all this election stuff in perspective.
REST IN PEACE FELLAS !!!
Posted by: AutoCadSkills | Oct 3, 2008 8:36:12 PM
Finall ysome peace for the brave souls who died for this country, and thank you!
Posted by: zgomer | Oct 3, 2008 8:43:02 PM
Goddess bless these brave servicemen.
Posted by: Melissa | Oct 3, 2008 8:50:16 PM
May these brave sailors never be forgotten.
Posted by: NolaDude | Oct 3, 2008 9:17:59 PM
Thank you sailors of the Grunion. Rest in peace. I salute you.
Posted by: Janey | Oct 3, 2008 10:15:01 PM
You smug faced crowds with kindling eyes,
You shout and cheer as soldier boys walk by,
Go home and pray you never know,
The PLACE where youth and laughter go.
S. Sassoon WWI
L.Whitefield Viet Nam
Posted by: Richard | Oct 3, 2008 10:42:43 PM
Tony, as a veteran of Iraq I, war is barbaric, but remember, those brave lads laid down their lives so that you could voice your opinion. We should all honor their memory with a simple "Thank you" please.
Posted by: JT | Oct 3, 2008 11:21:35 PM
I echo all the comments expressed above.
Thank you all for your sacrifices for our country. We salute you.
Rest in peace.
Posted by: Larry | Oct 3, 2008 11:45:50 PM
Submarine duty was once known as
'Coffin Service'
God Bless the Officers and Sailors of
the USS Grunion.
Posted by: use2busmc | Oct 4, 2008 12:39:07 AM
One of my husband's relatives was on the "Grunion." Your kind and respectful remarks are much appreciated.
Posted by: skyskatr | Oct 4, 2008 1:16:47 AM
What a great sacrifice you made. I am so appreciative for your bravery and dedicated service. Freedom isn't cheap. It comes with a price. May your reward in Heaven be great. Rest in peace and God Bless All Of You Brave Men.
With Many Many Thanks,
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara | Oct 4, 2008 1:29:00 AM
Among the last men to die fighting against a real enemy to our nation's freedom. Rest in peace.
Posted by: Alex Earls | Oct 4, 2008 3:04:24 AM
Hey, Ned Potter...thanks for this very important history-story.
Is it possible for you,please, ask the Families of the 70 Sailors ou perhaps the NAVY Corps, to publish this article with a photograph of each of the 70 sailors who perished in this war-time battle?
Sometimes we just read or hear these stories, so I think it is very important to put a FACE to this kind of story, so young generations will pay far more attention to the virtues of Service to the country and far more attention to War & Peace.
Heaven is within not with-out!
Posted by: James Miller | Oct 4, 2008 6:23:07 AM
Why can't they Navy confirm if it was hit under enemy fire? It has been over 60 + years ago. I think you can let that secret out of the bag.
Posted by: Gee West | Oct 4, 2008 8:57:59 AM
The commander of the sub had a destroyer named after him, USS Mannert L. Abele, DD733, sunk by a kamikaze.
Posted by: Brian | Oct 4, 2008 9:07:49 AM
May God bless all the men that lost their lives in the service of their country. May their familes know that they pasted with honor and that they are still remembered in 2008.
Posted by: Leanne | Oct 4, 2008 9:44:01 AM
Great thread...
Gratitude to all who serve.
Posted by: Bill | Oct 4, 2008 11:37:37 AM
Gee West said, "Why can't they Navy confirm if it was hit under enemy fire? It has been over 60 + years ago. I think you can let that secret out of the bag." Could you stop to think for one minute that the Navy doesn't KNOW what sunk the ship and that everything isn't a cover-up conspiracy. This is the first anybody's seen of it since it was announced as overdue. I'll tell you who sunk it. George Bush sunk it. And the gunman on the grassy knoll knows it.
Posted by: rwsmith29456 | Oct 5, 2008 12:12:03 AM
And by the way, AMEN to all the comments honoring those lost on the Grunion.
Posted by: rwsmith29456 | Oct 5, 2008 12:13:36 AM
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