riton (SS-201) In a change of pace from action-packed episodes, this episode presents a sentimental Christmas story that unfolds inside the slim, steel hull of USS Triton, 200 feet beneath the surface of the Pacific. The USS Triton's log for Dec. 25, 1942 reads: "0900, dived to 200 feet and held appropriate Christmas ceremonies." These included Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, a tree, passing out of Christmas gifts, and a Santa Claus. In the holiday spirit, one man learns that war sometimes unites families as well as divides them. The skipper of the Triton, Lt. Cdr. C. C. Kirkpatrick, is now a Rear Admiral and was Chief of Naval Information.
00:30I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dyker's retired. The story we are about to bring you is one of the most unusual in the history of our Navy. A Christmas Day celebration aboard a submarine in wartime. The ship was a USS Triton, and the story is unusual not only because of its Christmas aspects, but because Triton took part in the first land-based bomber attack against Japanese-held territory in World War II. Let's go aboard.
01:00Payday, December 1942. After four successful patrols, the USS Triton had been ordered to Pearl Harbor for alterations and overhaul. With the work finished and holiday spirit in the air, all hands hope for a merry land-based Christmas.
01:20Lieutenant Commander C.C. Kirkpatrick of San Angelo, Texas was skipper the Triton. The chief of the boat was Chief Quartermaster Marsh Jones of New London, Connecticut. Lieutenant John H. Eichmann was executive officer. His accurate navigation had already taken Triton from the Aleutians to the equator.
01:37Lieutenant J. G. G. H. C. Van Rosen was diving officer.
01:45Hi, Captain. Find out how we stand?
01:47I bet, John, five bucks we don't leave till the first of the year.
01:50You lose, Van.
01:52What?
01:53We have our orders. Leave the 16th.
01:55Oh, hi, Mike. You got the five dollars over here.
02:06Oh, thanks, Lloyd.
02:08Here you are.
02:09What do I owe you? Seven?
02:10Ten.
02:11You hit me for three last Sunday.
02:13Oh, yeah, I forgot.
02:16Look, Mike, being it's Christmas and all, how about let me give you a five now, five later?
02:20Christmas ain't got nothing to do with it, Roy.
02:22All right.
02:23Make sure it gets in the bank with the rest of your loot.
02:27What are you giving your family for Christmas, Mike?
02:29I don't give nothing.
02:33And I don't look for anybody to give me nothing, either.
02:41What'd you say that to him for? You know he's got no family.
02:44Well, it could be he's got some relative, just because he doesn't talk about them.
02:47Well, he never gets any mail from them, so why should he send them anything?
02:50Well, that ain't the point. The guy's tight.
02:53Then five more years, and he'll be a miser.
02:55Ah, you're nuts. He's a good kid. Now stop needling him.
02:58And so we figured, with your approval, of course, sir, that, well, it'd kind of be nice to have something to celebrate with.
03:04Maybe eggnog.
03:05The crew's going to need some morale boosting about that time, sir.
03:10Approval granted, provided the officers pay for the eggnog.
03:13I'll see to it, sir, and I figured on a small tree and some decorations.
03:20We've got quite a few young fellas in the crew, sir.
03:23Probably the first Christmas away from home for some of them.
03:26Is it your first Christmas at sea, Van?
03:30Yes, sir.
03:32Get the tree.
03:34Thank you, sir.
03:37Can you remember when you were that young?
03:39If I try hard.
03:40How about our assignment, Captain?
03:43Did we get a hot area?
03:45First job calls for aiding an air attack on Wake Island.
03:49An air attack?
03:50How do we do that?
03:51We act as radio beacon.
03:53The bombers home in on our signal.
03:54How close to Wake do we go?
03:58The Japanese have an awful lot of planes based on that island.
04:01Closest we can get, but we'll be okay.
04:03It's coming off at night.
04:04The night of the 23rd.
04:06First land-based bombing of Japanese-held territory.
04:10Thought of a Christmas present for the folks back home, huh?
04:13I think the crew will be glad to be in on it.
04:15Make up a little for missing the funnier at Pearl.
04:18You know, Captain, if the mail gets in from the States early enough,
04:21we might have some presents to put under that Christmas tree.
04:24Yeah.
04:27Yeah, we might at that.
04:41There's no more room over there.
04:43What have we got left?
04:44It's the last one, Marsh.
04:46Okay, let's put these four under there.
04:48Pack them in tight and secure them with a light for sea.
04:51It's pretty light for emergency rations, aren't they, Chief?
04:53He said we eat light food for a change.
04:56Remember what I said about opening them now.
04:58Hey, Lloyd, look, Christmas presents.
05:20Christmas?
05:20Christmas.
05:22From the Grey Ladies of Honolulu.
05:26What are you snorting about?
05:27You ought to be thankful.
05:28You're getting something for nothing.
05:30Nuts.
05:36Weren't you men told not to open those boxes?
05:39Yes, sir.
05:41Let's keep it quiet.
05:43Anybody else on this boat knows that's in there.
05:45I'll know who told them.
05:46We won't mention it to us all, Captain.
05:55The night before the Triton was to sail,
05:57Keith Jones asked the Captain to come topside.
06:02Captain?
06:04Compliments of the Postal Service.
06:06Is all that for us?
06:11Five bags full.
06:14This is the first class mail.
06:19I'm ten days early, sir, but Merry Christmas.
06:22Same to you.
06:25Thanks.
06:25On December 16th, 1942, the Triton left Pearl Harbor for a fifth war patrol.
06:36Diving exercises and gun drills were held as she proceeded towards her destination.
06:40December 23rd, Triton approached Wake Island, submerged, to avoid detection by enemy planes based there.
06:56The crew had been informed of the nature of the raid, and excitement ran high.
07:10The electronic equipment was ready.
07:12If weather prevented visual sighting of Wake, the planes would have passed over at 8,000 feet, homing in on the Triton's beam.
07:18Glide to 4,000, and release their bombs according to specified time.
07:24But accurate navigation by the submarine was mandatory.
07:27If the Triton sent a signal from an inaccurate position, the bomb loads would fall harmlessly into the sea.
07:33It'll be dark enough to surface in a few minutes.
07:35We're 25 miles due east of Wake right now.
07:39Heavy cloud formations will be cutting visibility.
07:41Plenty of time for it to clear up. I sure hope it does.
07:43I'd like to see that show.
07:45Up, Scoop.
07:48Must be ten times he's read that letter. I don't get it.
08:07Well, as many letters as he gets, he's got a right to read it a hundred times.
08:11It's from his sister.
08:12Did he tell you that?
08:14No, not exactly. I was sitting next to him reading my mail,
08:17and all of a sudden he comes out with,
08:18Hey, what do you know? The old man showed up.
08:20His old man?
08:21Yeah, and then he mentioned his sister and then he clammed up.
08:24I figured he had relatives.
08:26Such a hard head, they probably don't get along.
08:29What do you got against him, anyhow?
08:31It's the way he acts. He's been on this boat four months now, right?
08:34Ever hear him say anything friendly? Ever go out with the guys and got a beer?
08:37Who does he think he is, anyway?
08:39Big man. He saves his money.
08:42You know, Roy, there's an old saying, and it goes like this.
08:46You lend a man money and he lose a friend.
08:47What time are those bombers due, Captain?
09:042,300. Exactly three hours.
09:08Enough moon up there to give the bombardiers some help.
09:10Yes, sir.
09:11Captain, with your permission, I'd like to dress up as Santa Claus
09:16and give out presents at Christmastime.
09:18Where would you get the clothes?
09:20I bought a costume and pearl before we left.
09:24Are you serious?
09:25Yes, sir.
09:27You get a beard, too?
09:28No, I couldn't find one, but I figured I could use some hemp.
09:32Rope?
09:33Well, I could manage it, sir.
09:34You see, I know how to use crepe hair.
09:36When I was in school...
09:37Lights, dead ahead.
09:41Moving lights off the starboard bow.
09:44Airplane lights.
09:49You figure they picked us up on their radar, Captain?
09:53I'm pretty far off shore.
09:54It isn't likely.
09:56Captain, look.
09:57More planes taking off.
09:58A lot of them.
10:01Here's the bridge.
10:02Here's the bridge.
10:11It doesn't make sense, unless they've been warned about the attack in some way.
10:20Could be.
10:22But why send so many planes up now?
10:24Look like a general alert.
10:27Let's go.
10:28I sure hate to see this plan fall apart.
10:38You think we ought to break silence and advise headquarters?
10:41Putting on quite a show.
10:43Wait a minute.
10:44There's one plane all lit up.
10:49It's a target plane.
10:50John, I think they're having an air raid drill.
10:55Take a look.
10:57If I'm right, we're in luck.
10:58All those planes will be out of gas by the time ours come over.
11:04It's not to be sure, but if it is a drill,
11:06they certainly don't know anything about the raid.
11:07Two hours later, the Triton surfaced
11:19and watched the enemy planes return to wake.
11:21The searchlights went out,
11:23and the island resumed its dark and silent appearance.
11:26The electronic equipment was set up and tested.
11:29And at 2130, radar picked up the approaching bombers.
11:34The first wave was unopposed.
11:37The succeeding waves of bombers were met by searchlights
11:46and anti-aircraft fire.
11:52The Triton patrolled slowly across their assigned station,
11:56presenting maximum signal
11:57and alert for any plane in trouble
11:59that might be forced to ditch.
12:01Bridge, aircraft bearing 010.
12:07It would be a nice other you do if it's not one of ours.
12:13Clear the bridge!
12:19Could be one in trouble.
12:24There it is, Captain.
12:26It's ours.
12:26Left full rudder, all ahead flank.
12:35Looks like he's going to ditch.
12:38He's leveling off.
12:40Looks like he's okay, Captain.
12:42He probably just wanted to wish us a Merry Christmas.
12:44On December 24th,
12:49the Triton made a submerged reconnaissance of Wake Island
12:52to gain information
12:53and to report on the damage done by the bombers.
12:57At the moment, however,
12:58this was less important to the crew
13:00than their preparations for Christmas.
13:02Harman's control room.
13:03Harman's control room, right.
13:06Ward?
13:07Ward, uh, engine room.
13:08Mackenzie?
13:12Mackenzie, uh...
13:13Hey, that's me!
13:14Here's the cookies from your mother.
13:16Well, cut out, you'll break them.
13:17What?
13:18There's nothing but crumbs now.
13:19Cut it out!
13:20Over on the last side.
13:23Coloskey.
13:24Hey, here's one for Mike.
13:25For Mike?
13:26Hey, I was worried he wasn't getting one.
13:28They ain't cookies.
13:29Hey, let's hide it and make it sweat it out, huh?
13:31Go on.
13:38Hi, Mike.
13:39Jones?
13:41Jones, uh, he's engine.
13:44Battle station's torpedo.
13:47Battle station's torpedo.
13:48Kyle, we got a target.
13:55She's heading for the anchorage.
13:57Come left at 285.
13:59Aye, aye, sir.
13:59She's anchored, all right.
14:09We'll fire two torpedoes.
14:12Set depth at six feet.
14:13Set torpedo depth at six feet.
14:15Angle on the bow, 90 port.
14:18This is a shooting observation.
14:22Bearing.
14:23Mark.
14:24Zero.
14:25Four.
14:25Zero.
14:26Range.
14:28Mark.
14:29One, three, double O.
14:30Sass.
14:32Two.
14:33Fire one.
14:37Fire two.
14:41They're running hot, straight, and normal.
14:44There's nothing I like about this job.
14:49You can't see what you're shooting at.
14:56Two hits.
14:57Let her have another one.
14:58Fire three.
15:07That does it.
15:08She's going down.
15:10High-speed propellers bearing 315.
15:13Closing fast.
15:14Take her to 140 feet.
15:16Aye, aye, sir.
15:17Datsun.
15:19Our engine room.
15:24Herskin.
15:24That's a third one for him.
15:26Oh, lover boy.
15:27You must have been telling the truth about those girls, huh?
15:33Duncan, radio.
15:35Yeah, I'll put him in control room.
15:40Triton remained under attack for two hours,
15:43but the enemy never came close.
15:44At midday, Captain Kirkpatrick altered course to the southwest.
15:52At 2100 on Christmas Eve, Triton surfaced.
15:57Hey, how are you going to glue that rope on your face?
16:00Spirit gum.
16:01I got a bottle from the Red Cross.
16:04Sure looks like the real thing.
16:06Yeah, wait till you see the suit.
16:07You got McKenzie and his boys decorating the forward torpedo room?
16:12Yeah.
16:12Believe it or not, most of the crew don't even know it's coming off.
16:16Well, let's try it.
16:21Yeah, let's see.
16:22Not bad.
16:23What do you think?
16:28You haven't got any nutmeg or cinnamon.
16:31Well, you can't have everything, you know.
16:32Well, the heck you can't.
16:34Look, I'll be back in a second.
16:35Well, everything okay, Jones?
16:42Everything you've brought aboard, Mr. Van Rusen.
16:44Have it finished real soon.
16:46Where's the mistletoe, Mr. Van Rusen?
16:48You get the girls, I'll get the mistletoe.
16:52You, Chief.
16:53Thanks.
16:53Hey, thank you.
17:03Yeah?
17:06Yes, sir.
17:07Have we got any nutmeg on board?
17:09Nutmeg?
17:09Cinnamon will do.
17:11I got nutmeg.
17:15There's your nutmeg.
17:16Say, those turkeys look great.
17:19Yeah, just like home.
17:21All we need now is a little eggnog and some...
17:25Mr. Van Rusen.
17:26You wouldn't be wanting that for, uh...
17:28You got any better use for it?
17:30I'd never miss it, sir.
17:32Thanks a lot.
17:42Kevin?
17:51That's it, Lloyd.
18:00Just the tree now.
18:02Hey, Mike.
18:03Mike, will you help Lloyd out?
18:05Come on, Lloyd.
18:06Come with me.
18:14Mike, I'm just as tired as you are.
18:16How about helping me finish this off?
18:20Here.
18:22Now, spread that out.
18:24Okay.
18:26Mike, can I give you a tip?
18:30Why don't you open up a little bit?
18:32I notice you when we're all sitting around shooting a bull.
18:35You never say anything.
18:37Got nothing to say.
18:39The other day, you mentioned your dad for the first time.
18:41Up until then, we figured you were an orphan.
18:44What'd your dad do?
18:47He was a coal miner.
18:49Oh, yeah?
18:49Well, what's so funny about that?
18:50My dad used to shovel coal.
18:53He was a fireman on a railroad.
18:56Mom's still alive?
18:59No.
19:00She died when I was ten.
19:04I heard you talking about your sister the other day.
19:06Anyone else in the family?
19:09Got a kid brother.
19:11You live with your sister?
19:12Yeah, he used to, but the old man's got him now.
19:17Yeah, and you were glad to hear that.
19:20It's about time he did something for one of us.
19:24We ain't seen him in five years.
19:27Well, that must have been tough getting along.
19:30Yeah, it was better while he was gone.
19:32My aunt took care of us.
19:33When he was around, he was always drinking, arguing with my sister.
19:40Yeah, I know how that is.
19:42My dad used to do that once in a while.
19:44You'd get laid off work, presents.
19:45No, no, no.
19:47My old man used to do it all the time.
19:53He'd never let us have any fun.
19:55Even when the charity ladies would bring us Christmas presents, my old man, he'd bust them up.
20:04You'd tell him he wouldn't take charity, and Christmas was for babies, and that kind of stuff.
20:12And he'd go off drunk two weeks and come back on his knees.
20:15In the meantime, we was living on charity.
20:21Well, the guy doesn't like telling things like that, so I just keep quiet.
20:29What's so terrible about that?
20:32You're going to hold it against him for the rest of his life?
20:36A guy can change, you know.
20:39That's what my sister says.
20:42Did you read my letter?
20:43Oh, Mike, I wouldn't do anything like that.
20:47I just said the same thing because that's the right thing.
20:49I don't know.
20:52My sister said he asked about me.
20:55He wants to make it up to me.
20:56Sure he does.
20:57Give him a break.
21:00You know, Mike,
21:02it's kind of funny.
21:04Here.
21:07A war is breaking up families all over the world.
21:10It's bringing you back together.
21:13December 25th, 1942.
21:20The Triton's log reads,
21:220900, dive to 200 feet and held appropriate Christmas ceremonies.
21:51One-third of the crew at a time came forward.
21:54It was a moment of peace, a quiet silence in the thunder of war.
21:58The sounds they made were of joy and gladness.
22:01Poluski!
22:02Merry and go, boys.
22:03Merry Christmas.
22:04Oh, Merry Christmas, Pete Jones.
22:05Thank you, boys.
22:06Merry Christmas, Pete Jones.
22:07Thank you, man.
22:10Otterson!
22:11Merry Christmas, boys.
22:13Mike, package for you.
22:16I saved it as kind of a surprise.
22:19Mackenzie, thank you for your help.
22:21You get a great thing well done from Santa Claus.
22:23You too, Poluski.
22:25By the way, when Santa's little helpers clean up around here,
22:28be sure and save this stuff, huh?
22:29We'll stow it away and use it again next year.
22:32Thanks, Mr. Van Rousens.
22:34And Mike, get your mess here and let's chow down.
22:39Hey, Poluski.
22:40Sign this.
22:44Don't need complaints?
22:47Nah.
22:48Not a one.
22:51Yes, Chief.
22:55Message, Captain.
23:00From all members of the crew to the commanding officer,
23:04subject Christmas Day, thanks for.
23:08We, the crew of the USS Triton, wish to thank the commanding officer
23:11and officers for one of the finest Christmas days
23:14we have ever spent.
23:26I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
23:28Rear Admiral C.C. Kirkpatrick, United States Navy,
23:38who is the captain of the USS Triton, is with us.
23:41And it's with a great deal of pleasure that I introduce him to you.
23:45That Christmas Day must be a wonderful memory for you, Kirk.
23:48It certainly is, Tommy.
23:51Every Christmas when I'm at home with my family,
23:53I can't help but think of our efforts to celebrate the day under those trying conditions.
23:58I'll bet every man who is there will always remember it.
24:01I hope so, so they were some of the finest men I ever knew on that patrol.
24:04Well, practically everyone who has been through trying conditions in a submarine
24:08feels that way about his shipmates.
24:10Well, that's not hard to understand, Tommy.
24:12In a submarine, everyone is dependent upon everyone else.
24:15When the ship is handled successfully,
24:17it makes for a feeling of mutual pride and respect.
24:20Yes, if an outsider tries to whip one,
24:22he's liable to find himself having to whip all of them.
24:26Was the fifth patrol as successful as you would have hoped it to be?
24:29Well, now, Tommy, you know no patrol is as successful as you'd want it to be,
24:33but this was a good one.
24:34We not only guided our bombers to Wake Island,
24:37but we had the pleasure of sinking one of their tankers.
24:39That was the nicest Christmas present of all.
24:42I'm sure it was.
24:43Thank you, Kirk, for being with us.
24:45I've enjoyed it, Tommy.
24:49Please be with us again when the silent service brings you
24:52another exciting and unusual submarine story.
25:02Take her down in the night of the night, through the deep road and beneath the ocean, we'll destroy the ocean wide, fall down, down, underneath the sea.
25:21Take her down in the night, through the night, through the night, through the night, through the night, through the night, through the deep road and beneath the sea.
