ABANDONED. Thriller: bad nation has defeated U.S. in lightning strike, U.S. agent hijacks sub, threatens to unleash nuclear armageddon on aggressor

[Hal]

K, here's the deal. In my teens I read a thriller like this: The USSR (or some baddie) has defeated the US in a lightning strike. Caught us with our pants down, sucker-punched us, etc. and now rules us with an iron fist. Plan for redemption involves an agent dubbed "The Diver" (I think) who hijacks a nuclear sub and threatens to unleash nuclear armageddon on the aggressor if they don't withdraw. Does this plot ring any bells? Thanks!

[Kris]

Hal, around what year did you read this book?

[Hal]

Around 1978 I think.

[Kris]

Does this list trigger any memories?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Hal, are you still looking for this?

[Ayshe]

The First Team was suggested on another similar sounding topic: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Hal, are you still looking for this?"

No response in 4 years. Moving to Abandoned.