Submarine Commander: A Story of World War II and Korea

by Paul R. Schratz

A fascinating personal memoir of underwater combat in World War II, told by a man who played a major role in those dangerous operations. Frank and beautifully written, Submarine Commander 's breezy style and irrepressible humor place it in a class by itself. This book will be of lasting value as a submarine history by an expert and as an enduring military and political analysis. In early 1943 the submarine USS Scorpion, with Paul R. Schratz as torpedo officer, slipped into the shallow waters east of Tokyo, laid a minefield, and made successful torpedo attacks on merchant shipping. Schratz participated in many more patrols in heavily mined Japanese waters as executive officer of the Sterlet and the Atule. At war's end he participated in the Japanese surrender, aided the release of American POWs, and had a key role in the disarming of enemy suicide submarines. He then took command of the revolutionary new Japanese submarine I-203 and returned it to Pearl Harbor. But this was far from the end of Schratz's submarine career. In 1949 he commissioned the ultramodern USS Pickerel, the most deadly submarine then afloat, and set a world's record in a 21-day, 5,200-mile submerged passage from Hong Kong to Honolulu. With the outbreak of the Korean War, the Pickerel was immediately sent to Korea to participate in secret intelligence operations only recently declassified and never before revealed in print. Schratz's broad military experience makes this a far from ordinary memoir.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, War, World War II, Naval History

342 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1988

About the author

Paul R. Schratz was an accomplished violinist, playing in a number of symphonies, depending on where his naval career took him. After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1939, he served until late 1941 in the heavy cruiser Wichita (CA-45), which was involved in neutrality patrol in the Atlantic. He was a student in submarine school in early 1942, then performed wartime service in the submarines Mackerel (SS-204), Scorpion (SS-278), Sterlet (SS-392), and Atule. After hostilities ended in 1945, Schratz became officer in charge of the captured Japanese submarine I-203 and delivered her to Hawaii. He then served the Bureau of Naval Personnel before a stint as temporary skipper of the submarine Burrfish (SS-312) when she was reactivated in 1948. He then commanded the submarine Pickerel (SS-524) during Korean War reconnaissance missions and a long submerged transit from Hong Kong to Pearl Harbor. After duty in the political-military policy division of OpNav in the early 1950s, he served as executive officer of the submarine tender Nereus (AS-17) under skipper Dusty Dornin and was later Commander Submarine Division 52. Subsequent billets were on the staff of Commander Anti-Submarine Defense Force Atlantic Fleet, as a student and staff member at the Naval War College, and as commanding officer of the submarine tender Fulton (AS-11) in the early 1960s. During this period, Schratz believed, he lost his opportunity for major command because he published a facetious story in 1963 about Vice Admiral H. G. Rickover's burial plans. He had duty from 1962 to 1964 on the Joint Staff, including service as a delegate to the 18-nation disarmament conference in Geneva, Switzerland, then served in the Department of Defense. After earning a doctorate from Ohio State University in 1966, he was on the faculty of the National War College, 1966-68. He retired from active duty in 1969, then ran an international studies program at the University of Missouri. Other post-retirement jobs were in education, including giving instruction at the various war colleges and at Georgetown University. He also wrote widely, both books and articles.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have toured a number of WWII Gato class WWII fleet boats and have been fascinated by them and the men that manned them. Captain Schratz provides the lay person with an interesting exciting view of life as a submariner. Schratz also provides a look at the life of a Navy family and how difficult it can be for a wife particularly during wartime.

The author provides lots of anecdotes and insights into the life of the men on board as well as Navy bureaucracy. I particularly enjoyed Schratz’ occasional forays into the strategic and overarching military concerns of the day most helpful in understanding more about WWII submarine warfare. Most of the book deals with WWII but I found the section about life after WWII in the navy most interesting particularly with the creation of the new Porpoise class of submarines. Schratz was the first commander of the USS Pickerel and set a number of world records with the boat.

The book is well written and easy to read. The back and forth between discussions of the men he served with and information of War patrols and the equipment kept the book moving. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. John N. Gully did an excellent job narrating the book. The book was moderately long at 15 and ½ hours. If you are interested in Submarines or the Navy this book will provided good insights.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expertly narrated and fantastically detailed, this techinical-laden memoir should have been required reading in the Navy, specifically the silent service. Maybe it was I just didn't catch it then. Countless lessons on leadership and plenty of tough situations that any team leader or commander could appreciate. A fully immersive experience into one man's decorated service at a very turbulent time. I would have preferred a more detailed post-war description but what is here is gold.

[Andrew Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An autobiography of submariner who fought in Pacific during the Second World War and gain a command of his own ship after the war. He participated in a demilitarisation of Japan and assisted the American army in their war in Korea. Well and interestingly written it shows how different submarines war was from the one in the Atlantic. Quite detailed description of military activities includes a surprisingly large number of dinners and parties attended by the naval personnel, often with their wives as well.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with a nuanced perspective of the submarine war and some of the political infighting within the fleet. Lot of interesting little facts about life on submarines and some of the daily challenges of living on a submarine. I enjoyed reading the smaller end section of the author's life after World War Two and his work with the UN during the Korean War.

[David Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book if you like submarine stories. This is quite a good history with lots of detail that's fun to me. The drama of two wars is a bit downplayed. I think it's from Schratz's humbleness. He did a lot in his career and is as should be very proud.

[Robert Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed account of a submarine officer's WWII and Korea experiences. Nicely written but read more like a diary. Interesting description of pre-nuclear and analog technology.

[Tim Ganotis · Rating 2 out of 5]

More autobiography than war book. Too much about his personal life, kids, money, houses, etc. Lots of "back in my day" kinds of sentiments which have aged poorly.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book for anyone interested in military history. There's no graphic or gory scenes, but I had hoped for a bit more description of
life on a submarine.

John N. Gully's performance is adequate. I did hear a couple of mispronunciations and it would have been appreciated if he gave more indication via pauses
when the topic changed. Overall, this is an average listen.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.

[John Kilgallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, my father was aboard the USS Atule for all 4 of her war patrols. This book was the first time I was able to imagine the patrols from a different viewpoint. Another relatively ignored era of submarine development is finally discussed from a first person view in this book, the post war modifications to improve speed and endurance of these fantastic vessels. Great read!

[Rick B.H. Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book follows the career of a Commander, from his start in the Navy. Through world war 2 and part of the Korean war. Gives the reader the experiences and places them in the role of a Submarine Commander good chance I may reread this one.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and very enjoyable view of a naval submarine officer from before the beginning of WWII through the Korean Conflict. Good read even if you were never a submariner.