Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster.
Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

Trigger (SS-237)

Radio Call Sign: November - Charlie - Charlie - Foxtrot
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is left to right
Presidential Unit Citation (3) - American Campaign Mdeal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (11)
Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 1 February 1941, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 22 October 1941; Commissioned USS Trigger (SS-237), 31 January 1942; Lost to enemy action 28 March 1945, sunk by Japanese in East China Sea, all hands lost; Struck from the Naval Register, 11 July 1945. Trigger was awarded 3 Presidential Unit Citations and received 11 battle stars for her service in World War II.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,410 t.; Length 311' 10"; Beam 27' 4"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Maximum Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 dual purpose deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, six FM diesel generator sets installed: four - 9 cylinder model 38D8-1/8 X 10 O.P. = 1600 BHP @ 720 RPM main propulsion generator sets, one - 7 cylinder model 38F5-¼ X 7-¼ O.P. = 440 BHP @ 1200 RPM auxiliary generator set and one - 3 cylinder model 38F5-¼ X 7-¼ O.P. = 150 BHP @ 1200 RPM emergency generator set., fuel capacity 116,000 gal.,two 126 cell main storage batteries, twin screws.
Click On Image
For Full Size		Size Image Description Source
Trigger 54k Orange Striped Trigger fish (Balistapus undulatus). Photo courtesy of ukdivers.net.
Trigger 463k Keel laying of the Trigger (SS-237), 1 February 1941, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA. USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger & Silversides 714k Bow view showing the progress of the Silversides (SS-236) & the Trigger (SS-237) under construction at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 1 July 1941. USN photo # 1381-41, courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Silversides 235k The Silversides (SS-236) is half way down the ways during her launching at Mare Island Navy Yard on 26 August 1941. The Trigger (SS-237) can be seen on the building ways on the right. USN photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sunfish 402k Progress photo, stern view, at Mare Island on 1 October 1941. The Trigger (SS-237) & Sunfish (SS-281) are progressing very well. USN photo # BS 34400 via NARA College Park, courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
Trigger949kShipyard workers/mangers around the sail of Trigger (SS-237) before launching. Photo i.d. courtesy of Rick Connole, Ric Hedman, David Johnston (USN, retired), Robert Morgan & Arnie Putnam.
Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
577
0823706a		2.07k The Trigger (SS-237) was sponsored by Mrs. Sidney Patterson Vernou, the wife of Admiral Walter Newhall Vernou. USN photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Trigger 175k The Trigger (SS-237) is ready to be launched at Mare Island Navy Yard on 22 October 1941. US Navy / Mare Island Navy Yard photo 2790-41, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Trigger & Sunfish 551k The Trigger (SS-237) slides down the launching ways on 22 October 1941, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.
The Sunfish (SS-281) is under construction to her port side and would be launched 2 May 1942. The ship under construction to Sunfish's port side is the Submarine Tender Sperry (AS-12), she would be launched on 17 December 1941.		 USN photo courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Photo i.d. courtesy of Fred Tannenbaum & Darryl L. Baker.
Trigger 396k The Trigger (SS-237) all ablaze with bunting following her launching, 22 October 1941, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.
Note the non Navy personnel on the deck.		 USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Photo insert courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Trigger 182k Postal cover marking the launching of the Trigger (SS-237) on 22 October 1941 at Mare Island. Courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Trigger 255k Post launching photo of the Trigger's (SS-237) crew and the men who built her. USN photo courtesy of mareislandlostboats.org.
Trigger 28k Commemorative postal cover on the occasion of Trigger's (SS-237) commissioning at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 31 January 1942. USN photo # 1381-41, courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 28k First day postal service aboard the Trigger (SS-237), 2 February 1942. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Trigger 379k Trigger (SS-237) underway of Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 6 April 1942. USN photo (Mare Island Navy Yard photo 1748-42), courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Trigger 43k Trigger's (SS-237) bell, 1942. Photo courtesy of bubbleheads.blogspot.com.
Trigger
0823758		 NR SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN
An Undersea Prowler Gets Its Baptism of Fire In Near-Fatal Clash With Enemy Destroyer.
DRAWING A BEAD—Crewmen line up an enemy ship for a perfect shot. This picture was taken through the periscope of a submarine during warfare in the Pacific. 		USN photo
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 10 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trigger
0823760		 NR SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN
Trigger (SS-237) Survives Vicious Depth Charge Pounding After Her Crippling Attack on New Carrier.
COMDR. J. H. LEWIS. First Skipper of Trigger.
LT. COMDR. ROY BENSON. Took command when Comdr. Lewis was hospitalized.		 USN photo
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 15 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trigger
0823761		 NR SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN
Perfecting Ice Cream Freezer for Cramped U-Boat Calls for Experiment and Genius for Gadgets.
NO SPACE TO SPARE
This is the commanding officer's quarters in a submarine. A look at the cramped space will make it clear why the crew of the Trigger (SS-237) had such a hard time finding an available cranny for its ice cream freezer.		 USN photo
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 18 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trigger
0823759		 NR SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN
Trigger (SS-237), a Night fighter, Sends Four Ships Down And Hits Another One in Single Evening.
DEATH FOR MERCHANTMAN—Asight that chills the spine of a merchant ship skipper in wartime—a submarine on the surface.		 USN photo
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 20 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trigger
0823762		 NR SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN
Trigger (SS-237) Steals Convoy From Under Nose of Sister Sub, Much to the Discomfort of the Japanese
GOING DOWN—It is always a tense moment in a submarine when she dives. Here two sailors watch the depth gauge which tells how far the craft is under water.		 USN photo
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 24 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Service - Loss
Trigger 117k An undated pre-war photo of the Kawasaki Kisen KK - owned general cargo vessel Holland Maru underway in port. Holland Maru (5,869 grt) was torpedoed and sunk at position (32 degrees 21'N, 132 degrees 04'E) on 17 October 1942 by the submarine Trigger (SS-237). Photo courtesy of Alex Duncan from "The World's Merchant Fleets 1939" by Roger W. Jordan, courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Dornin
0823757		 NR When you see King, you see Dornin behind him.
The aide to our Navy's Boss must he a special sort. He is, Meet Commamder Dornin.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 29 April 1945, Image 76 & 77 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trigger 233k Destroyer Okikaze sinking 2-43 viewed through Trigger's (SS-237) periscope. USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 378k Trigger's (SS-237) crew poses for a group photo April 1943 at Pearl Harbor. USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 328k The Trigger (SS-237) crew with battle flag....includes Benson and Beach (first 2 officers pictured on the left). Circa December 1943. USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 64k The Trigger's (SS-237) CO, Lt. Comm. Roy S. Benson, receives a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross at a ceremony honoring his and Trigger's exploits after she arrived at Pearl Harbor on 8 December 1943 following her seventh war patrol. USN photo courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole,K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
Trigger 215k The Trigger's (SS-237) CO, Lt. Comm. Roy S. Benson, receives a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross at a ceremony honoring his and Trigger's exploits after she arrived at Pearl Harbor on 8 December 1943 following her seventh war patrol. Among the ships damaged or sunk included the aircraft carrier Hiyo which limped into Tokyo Bay and was out of action for almost a year. USN photo courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole,K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
Trigger 5.57k Ten photo PDF of Life Magazine 27 December 1943, (page 54 Submarine Warfare, by Paul Sample concerning the Trigger (SS-237). Photos courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 681k Three photo PDF of the Nippon Yusen KK pasenger liner SS Yasukuni Maru on the River Thames during her maiden voyage from Japan, 1930. Photo from Ships of the World special issue "The Golden Age of Japanese Passenger Liners",.
The auxillary submarine depot ship HIJMS Yasukuni Maru and the battleship HIJMS Nagato, underway in 1941. At this time Yasukuni Maru was with the 1st Submarine Squadron until 15 December 1941. Photo Imperial Japanese Navy.
Last photo is taken from HIJMS Katori (bow and 25mm AA guns) of the aux. submarine depot ships HIJMS Rio de Janeiro Maru (at right) and Yasukuni Maru (at left), and three submarines, at Kwajalein Atoll, February 1942. At this time Yasukuni Maru was with the 3rd Submarine Squadron until 15 September 1943: Attached Force Sixth Fleet; sunk 31 January 1944 NW of Truk (09 degrees 12' North, 147 degrees 13' East) by the submarine Trigger (SS-237). Photo Imperial Japanese Navy. 		Photos courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Trigger 185k On 31 January 1944, 300 miles NW of Truk, at about 0200, LtCdr Robert E. Dornin's Trigger (SS-237) attacks Yasukuni Maru's convoy. Dornin fires three torpedoes by radar at largest ship and Lt (later Captain) Edward L. Beach, the XO fires three other torpedoes from the bridge at the nearest destroyer using the Target Bearing Transmitter (TBT). The TBT's torpedoes run erractically and miss. The three fired by radar also miss the big ships, but one hits and slightly damages Michishio, probably a dud.
Still on the surface, Trigger turns tail on a nearby destroyer and fires four stern torpedoes at her, but they all miss. Masked by her heavy diesel exhaust, Trigger hauls away on a reciprocal course to the destroyer. Unaware that her opponent is on the surface, the destroyer drops depth charges.
Dornin makes a high speed "end-around." At about 0358, he fires five torpedoes in surface radar attack on the largest ship. Two torpedoes hit Yasukuni Maru. She sinks about five minutes later 17 miles NW of Truk at 9-15N, 147-13E.
Yasukuni Maru is carrying over 1,200 men of whom about 300 sailors and 888 technical personnel are lost. Shiratsuyu rescues 43 survivors.		 Text courtesy of combinedfleet.com.
Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Trigger 2.30k Trigger (SS-237) presented with the Presidential Unit Citation flag by Rear Admiral Carlton H. Wright, USN, at U.S. Naval Drydocks, Hunter's Point, San Francisco, California. Officers holding the flag: Standing, (left to right): Lieutenant R.A. Hummert, USNR, Lieutenant Junior Grade C.B. Irish, USNR, Lieutenant Commander F.J. Harlfinger II, Lieutenant Commander John Eldon Shepherd, III, and Ensign C.J. Roberts. Kneeling, (left to right): Lieutenant R.R. Kemp, Ensign P.R. Rogers, and Lieutenant J.W. Sincavich. Photograph released 27 July 1944. USN photo # 80-G-297331, now in the collections of the National Archives, from the National Museum of the U.S. Navy via flickr.com.
Trigger 2.07k Trigger (SS-237) presented with the Presidential Unit Citation flag by Rear Admiral Carlton H. Wright, USN, at U.S. Naval Drydocks, Hunter's Point, San Francisco, California. Shown: Trigger, mascot admires the Flag presented to Lieutenant Commander F. J. Harlfinger, II, Commanding Officer and Lieutenant Commander John Eldon Shepherd, III, USN, (left), holds Trigger. Photograph released 27 July 1944. USN photo # 80-G-297332, now in the collections of the National Archives, from the National Museum of the U.S. Navy via flickr.com.
Trigger 134k This close up of the bridge of the Trigger (SS-237), was taken in August 1944 during refit at Mare Island. Details of the compass repeater target bearing transmitter and alarm switches are seen behind the protective venturi shield. The hatch leading to the conning tower is at right on the deck. The pole in the center of the photo is the mast for the "SJ" antenna. This shot was taken from the port lookout platform. USN photo #19-N-83827. Photo and text courtesy of The Floating Drydock, Fleet Subs of WW II by Thomas F. Walkowiak.
Trigger 120k This close up of the fairwater looking aft along the starboard side of the Trigger (SS-237), was taken in August 1944 during refit at Mare Island. The black circles show new items installed during this refit which include "SJ" radar, venturi shield, 4"/50cal.deckgun and searchlight. USN photo #19-N-83829. Photo and text courtesy of . The Floating Drydock, Fleet Subs of WW II", by Thomas F. Walkowiak.
Trigger 55k Trigger (SS-237) probably at Mare Island after her refit, August 1944. USN photo from DANFS, Joseph M. Radigan (of blessed memory)
Trigger 63k Bows on view of the Trigger (SS-237), date and location unknown. Courtesy of Silent Victory, by Clay Blair Jr.
Trigger 159k Trigger (SS-237) record of ship's kills during her 12 war patrols. Courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Trigger 95k A fleet boat returning from patrol displays a major drawback of pre-WW II U.S. submarines design: light anti-aircraft guns had to be taken out and set up before they could be used. A water-cooled 0.50, the standard prewar weapon, is shown on deck forward of the bridge.
This boat may be Trigger (SS-237), whose commanding officer originated the practice (very visible here) of drilling holes at the turn of the deck to let out the air in the superstructure more quickly so as to speed diving. 		Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
Trigger 195k The officers of the Trigger (SS-237) pose for a photo taken on board in May 1944, possibly at San Francisco. Those identifiable are LT Edward (Ned) Beach Jr. (standing on the far left), the man in the cap to the right of Ned Beach is Trigger's then CO, the famous Robert E. "Dusty" Dornin, and I think LCDR F. J. Harlfinger is to his right. USN Photo # 3177-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. Partial text courtesy of Pete Donatucci.
Trigger 458k Roy S. Benson (CO) scrapbook (officers in Hawaii, bearded officers) with other Trigger (SS-237) mementos. USN photo courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 347k Trigger (SS-237) returns to Guam, 17 November 1944. USN photo courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 315k The folowing three photos of the Trigger (SS-237) off Guam in March 1945 were taken by Bob Adams of Phoenix AZ, an 85 year old vet, who served as a photographer aboard the submarine tender Apollo (AS-25) and was stationed in Midway in late 1944 to early 1945.
These photos were taken when the sub was in Guam for re-fit....and before it departed for what was to be the last patrol. He was on board for a two day test and training cruise. His job was to train and make sure the periscope cameras were operational. He had taken ship pictures and had these in his personal inventory.		 Photo by Bob Adams, courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 346k Stern view of the Trigger (SS-237) and a host of AK's off Guam in March 1945. Photo by Bob Adams, courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 292k Stern view of the Trigger (SS-237) & former Sculpin (SS-191) commander Lt. Commander Lucius H.Chappell off Guam in March 1945.
Lu Chappel was the Commander of Sub Division Two Eighty One on 4 February 1945 in Guam.
Check out the war patrol micro film copies of the Trigger war patrol reports at issuu.com See page 373 of 381.That is a copy of Lu's endorsement letter of the 11th War Patrol, upon the sub's return to Guam under Fritz Harlfinger. Dave Connole then took command for the 12th war patrol and departed Guam on 11 March. From the 11 War Patrol Report you can see that there were key parts that needed fixing and there was a new commanding officer that needed to learn the boat and crew. Thus, a training cruise was needed and the experienced Lu Chappel would have been a natural to go along as an observer/advisor. 		Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Photo by Bob Adams, courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole,K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 635k I.R. Lloyd drawing of the Trigger (SS-237) being engaged by a Japanese warship, place and date unknown. USN photo courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Coast Defense Vessel No. 17 213k Coast Defense Vessel No. 17, at Yokohama, 13 April, 1944, representative of two of the class of ships which sank the Trigger (SS-237), Coast Defense Vessel No. 33 and Coast Defense Vessel No. 59, according to Submarines Lost Through Enemy Action Photo from A. J. Watts, "Japanese Warships of World War II", courtesy of Aryeh Weterhorn.
Coast Defense Vessel No. 17 117k Awaji, a type B escort, at Osaka, January, 1944, representative of - the Mikura, which sank the Trigger (SS-237), according to Submarines Lost Through Enemy Action Photo from A. J. Watts, "Japanese Warships of World War II", courtesy of Aryeh Weterhorn & combinedfleet.com
Trigger 143k Google Earth satellite photo of the general area in which site and surrounding islands of Trigger (SS-237).
Exact location of the sinking of Trigger is not known. Two books tell the story of the loss and provide location information leading up to the sinking date: -Submarine Operations of WWII, by T. Roscoe, USNI, page 456-457.
-Submarine Losses of WWII, page 142.
On 28 March 1944, submarines in the general vicinity heard depth charges and that "someone was taking a drubbing". A Japanese naval report indicated that a submarine was located, bombed and a large oil slick resulted. The location was 32-16N, 132-05E, which is East of Kyushu.
History of location reports (derived from the two books)
1. On 18 March Trigger sunk Tsukushi Maru #3 at 28-05N, 126-44E. This is West of Nansei Shoto chain of islands.
2. On 24 March, Trigger ordered to patrol West of Nansei Shoto chain of islands between 29N and 31 N at the 100 fathom depth curve.
3. On 26 March, Trigger was ordered to rendezvous with two other subs to form a wolf pack at 31-00 N, 132 E. This location is SE of Kyushu to the the East of the Nansei Shoto chain.
4. In Roscoe's account, it states that post war records credit sinking of Odate on 27 March at 30-40N, 127-50 E, which is West of the Nansei Shoto chain.
5. If Trigger was West of Nansei Shoto on 27 March at 30-40N, 127-50E, she would have had to travel about 240 miles to arrive at rendezvous point (31-00N, 132-00E). However, the supposed sinking location (32-16N, 132-05E) is about 85 miles north up the coast of Kyushu.
6. Questions:
a. Why would Trigger be 85 miles north of rendezvous point?
b. Could Trigger have transited the straits near Take-shima, south of Kyushu, in time to make the rendezvous on 28 March…..a 240 mile run from the Odate sinking location on 27 March? Yes, but this would be a 12 hour run on surface at 19 knots (need to avoid mine field). Surface run is not likely, given the locale being close to Japanese coast.
c. Maybe the Odate sinking information is not correct, either the date or location. 		View courtesy of Google Earth. Text Courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 152k Commemorative photo in honor of the memory of the crew of the Trigger (SS-237).Photo courtesy of Tom Kermen.
Dante's Prayer courtesy of Loreena McKennitt via loreenamckennitt.com
Trigger 19k David Rickart Connole, Commander (Commanding Officer) of the Trigger (SS-237) at the time of her loss. USN photo courtesy of oneternalpatrol.com.
Trigger 245k Vice Admiral Aubery Fitch presents a Posthumous Award for David Connole to his wife Vida and son Rick on Trigger's (SS-237) exploits at Nansei Shoto 11 March 1945.
USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Post War
Trigger 164k Doctor Mom Chung, Ned Beach, former XO of Trigger (SS-237), Vida Connole and Roy Benson Trigger's (SS-237) former CO, on the occasion of the presentation of a replica of Trigger's "battle" flag to the USNA Museum, April 1947. This flag is still on display at the Museum. This also the day that Vida and Roy met, they started dating and were married one year later (in the USNA chapel). Roy later adopted me and was an excellent father.
BTW, Roy and Vida are buried in the USNA cemetery, near the grave of Ned Beach, and not far from Beach Hall (USNI, former USNA hospital). 		USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 202k Admirals Grenfeld, Charles Lockwood, Fife, with Captain Roy Benson. Photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole,K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 800k After 64 years, Rick Connole is proud that the Trigger (SS-237) campaign flag is still on display. This flag was presented to the USNA Museum in April 1946 by Mom Chung and former Trigger officers. Photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole,K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 260k A pair of CO's hold Trigger's (SS-237) Battle Flag; Roy Benson, Trigger's second CO on left, & Jack Lewis, her first CO on the right. Picture taken in April 1947 related to the memorial presentation of the flag to the USNA museum. USN photo & text courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger2.90kTwo Page PDF article by Capt. Ned Beach of a New London, Conn 1951 newspaper article entitled "The Story behind the story of submarine Trigger (SS-564). Courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 170k Article written by Capt. Ned Beach which appeared in the U.S. Naval Proceedings, September 2002 in the Publisher's Page, detailing his early experiences aboard the Trigger (SS-237). Courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 3.21k Ten page PDF article written by Capt. Ned Beach which appeared in the U.S. Naval Proceedings, April 1957 entitled "Unlucky in June, Hiyo meets Trigger (SS-237)." Courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 1.88k Nine page PDF article of the Trigger (SS-237) Sea Classics series detailing the boat's history with numerous photos, by Charles H. Bogart. Courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 3.41k Nine page PDF article written by Capt. Ned Beach which appeared in the U.S. Naval Proceedings, Sept 2002 in the Publisher's Page. Courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Trigger 315k Legendary WWII submarine commander, retired Capt. Edward L. "Ned" Beach, Jr., died 1 December 2002 at his Washington, D.C. home. In addition to his superb naval career, he was an accomplished author and wrote, among many other works, the globally acclaimed piece of literature, "Run Silent, Run Deep" in 1955. The novel was made into a popular movie starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster. In an interview with All Hands Magazine, a U.S. Navy internal information periodical, he didn't like the movie because it wasn't true to the Navy that I saw and tried to describe." Beach is survived by his wife Ingrid, three children, and four grandchildren. USN photo # N-0000B-001, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute / news.navy.mil.
Trigger 147k Memorial plaque of the Trigger's (SS-237) crew at Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia PA, July 2006. Photo courtesy of Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
Tolling the Boats 117k Joyce DaSilva, the wife of Jesse DaSilva of the Tang (SS-306), one of the nine survivors of the boat, tosses a flower into a reflecting pool to honor the memory of one of the 52 submarines lost during World War II at the National Submarine Memorial-West on board Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif. On this Veterans Day, the Submarine Veterans of World War II transferred ownership of the memorial to the U.S. Navy.

The following text is from The Coming Fury by Bruce Catton., pg. 478.
"Major Sullivan Ballou of Rhode Island was killed in the battle, and just before it he had wrote to his wife, Sarah, to tell her that he believed he was going to be killed and to express a tremulous faith that could see a gleam of light in the dark:
"But O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and float unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you in the gladdest days and in the gloomiest nights, always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your chest it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait, for we shall meet again!"		 Text i.d. courtesy of Marlynn Starring. Photo i.d. courtesy of Chuck Senior, Vice Commander, Los Angeles-Pasadena Base, USSVI.
USN photo # N-1159B-021 by Journalist 2nd Class Brian Brannon, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
Trigger 48k Trigger (SS-237) men at Guam, February 1945. In a little over a month, the boat and crew would be M.I.A.
The Trigger Maru: I'm the Galloping Ghost of the Japanese Coast
by Constantine Guinness, Motor Machinist's Mate First Class (MOMM 1/c), United States Navy

I'm the galloping ghost of the Japanese coast. You don't hear of me and my crew But just ask any man off the coast of Japan. If he knows of the Trigger Maru.

I look sleek and slender alongside my tender. With others like me at my side, But we'll tell you a story of battle and glory, As enemy waters we ride.

I've been stuck on a rock, felt the depth charge's shock, Been north to a place called Attu, and I've sunk me two freighters atop the equator Hot work, but the sea was cold blue.

I've cruised close inshore and carried the war to the Empire Island Honshu, While they wire Yokahama I could see Fujiyama, So I stayed, to admire the view.

When we rigged to run silently, deeply I dived, And within me the heat was terrific. My men pouring sweat, silent and yet Cursed me and the whole damned Pacific.

Then destroyers came sounding and depth charges pounding My submarine crew took the test. Far in that far off land there are no friends on hand, To answer a call of distress.

I was blasted and shaken (some damage I be taken), my hull bleeds and pipe lines do, too I've come in from out there for machinery repair, And a rest for me and my crew.

I got by on cool nerve and in silence I served, Though I took some hard knocks in return, One propeller shaft sprung and my battery's done, But the enemy ships I saw burn.

I'm the galloping ghost of the Japanese coast, You don't hear of me and my crew. But just ask any man off the coast of Japan, If he knows of the Trigger Maru.

In Memorium:

In the Second Book of Shmuel (Samuel), 22nd chapter, 5th through the 20th verses, translated from the original in Hebrew and published by the Koren Publishers of Jerusalem, Israel, 1982, can perhaps aptly describe the fate of the crew and all other U.S. submariners who died defending their county:

"When the waves of death compassed me / the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; / the bonds of She'ol encircled me; / the snares of death took me by surprise; / in my distress I called upon the Lord, / and cried to my G-D: / and he heard my voice out of his temple, / and my cry entered into his ears. / Then the earth shook and trembled; /the foundations of heaven moved / and shook because of his anger /...the heavy mass of waters, and thick clouds of the skies /... And the channels of the sea appeared, / the foundations of the world were laid bare, / at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast at the breath of his nostrils. / He sent from above, he took me; / he drew me out of many waters; / he delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. / They surprised me in the day of my calamity: / but the Lord was my stay / He brought me forth also into a large place: / he delivered me because he delighted in me./" 		Trigger Maru Poem courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole, K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
USN photo courtesy of Theodore Roscoe, from his book "U.S. Submarine Operations of WW II", published by USNI.
View the Trigger (237)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
On Eternal Patrol
ComSubPac Report of loss of USS Trigger (SS 237) March 26 1945 - 89 Men Lost
Trigger (SS-237) model courtesy of David Connole.
Trigger (SS-237) War Patrols on File courtesy of David Connole.
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Submarine Index
Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster
This page is created by Gary Priolo and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024 NavSource History All rights reserved.