A Tale of Two Subs

An Untold Story of World War II, Two Sister Ships, and Extraordinary Heroism

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By Jonathan J. McCullough

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$21.99

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$28.99 CAD

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  1. Trade Paperback $21.99 $28.99 CAD
  2. ebook $8.99 $11.99 CAD

This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around May 5, 2009. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

Discover the shocking and fascinating true story of one of the most dramatic naval events in World War II history.

On November 19, 1943, the submarine USS Sculpin, under attack by the Japanese, slid below the waves for the last time in what would become one of the most remarkable stories in U.S. Naval history. Not only did several crewmembers survive the sinking – an extremely rare event in World War II submarine warfare – but several were aboard a Japanese aircraft carrier enroute to a POW camp when it was in turn torpedoed and sunk by the Sculpin’s sister ship, the USS Sailfish.

At the end of World War II, several unlikely survivors would tell a tale of endurance against these amazing reversals of fortune. For one officer in particular, who knew that being captured could have meant losing the war for the allies, his struggle was not in surviving, but in sealing his own fate in a heartbreaking act of heroism which culminated in the nation’s highest tribute, the Medal of Honor.

Sculpin Lt. Commander John Phillip Cromwell was one of the few who knew that American Naval Intelligence had succeeded in cracking Japan’s top-secret codes. Cromwell also knew that if the Japanese confirmed this by torturing him, it would force Naval Intelligence to change their encryption, which would potentially change the course of the war. This is Cromwell’s story as well.

The incredible interconnection of the Sculpin and the Sailfish has been thoroughly researched by Jonathan McCullough. Through access to the few living survivors, scores of oral histories, never-before translated Japanese war documents, and interviews with Navy veterans, McCullough delivers a gripping and, intimate account for the reader.

Genre:

  • "A TALE OF TWO SUBS just goes to show you that the SEALs are not the only brave men in dark waters. I am always humbled by the actions of the men who fought before me, and will forever bow my head in respect to the unsung heroes of World War II. This is a must read for any patriot."
    Marcus Luttrell, New York Times Bestselling Author of LONE SURVIVOR

On Sale
May 5, 2009
Page Count
304 pages
ISBN-13
9780446178402

Jonathan J. McCullough

About the Author

Jonathan J. McCullough has served for many years as an editor at Lyons Press, and has edited numerous books on a variety of nonfiction subjects, including World War II.

Learn more about this author