Speaking up for our Silent Warriors on Memorial Day

By Rear Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, Commander, Submarine Group 7

FLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Memorial Day marks the start of summer with barbecues, swimming, and other family events; and, most importantly, it is a day of remembrance for the serious nature of military service and the sacrifices so many have made and continue to make for the nation.

In my command of Submarine Group 7, Task Force 54, and Task Force 74, we are responsible for submarine and anti-submarine operations from the International Date Line in the middle of the Pacific Ocean westward to the Red Sea. We are reminded daily of the sacrifices made by our predecessors as the areas in which we operate our submarines today are the same areas where our submarine force suffered the majority of its combat losses in World War II.

During the Second World War, submarine duty was the riskiest of all the branches of military service. Nearly 18 percent of U.S. submarines never returned. The sacrifices made by these men and their families were well know at the time but knowledge of them is fading with the years and the passing of older veterans.

More than 3,000 U.S. Sailors remain on "Eternal Patrol" in their submarines in the Pacific Ocean.

Many of these Sailors' families will never have the knowledge of their Sailors' final resting place. They won't be able to clean the grave or place flowers on it as Memorial Day was originally observed.

We have not given up on these Gold Star Families. As technology advances and more of the sea floor is surveyed, we are pursuing potential leads to identify the locations of these lost submarines. While the physical remains of the crew members may be lost to eternity, we should always commemorate their service and remember their sacrifice.

This Memorial Day please join us in remembering these warriors of the deep and all who have paid the ultimate price for our sake. If you find yourself at the beach or near the ocean, take a moment to consider those who continue to patrol the deep.

These are the names of the 52 U.S. submarines from World War II that remain on "Eternal Patrol":

USS Sealion, USS S-36, USS S-26, USS Shark, USS Perch, USS S-27, USS Grunion, USS S-39, USS Argonaut, USS Amberjack, USS Grampus, USS Triton, USS Pickerel, USS Grenadier, USS Runner, USS R-12, USS Grayling, USS Pompano, USS Cisco, USS S-44, USS Wahoo, USS Dorado, USS Corvina, USS Sculpin, USS Capelin, USS Scorpion, USS Grayback, USS Trout, USS Tullibee, USS Gudgeon, USS Herring, USS Golet, USS S-28, USS Robalo, USS Flier, USS Harder, USS Seawolf, USS Darter, USS Shark II, USS Tang, USS Escolar, USS Albacore, USS Growler, USS Scamp, USS Swordfish, USS Barbel, USS Kete, USS Trigger, USS Snook, USS Lagarto, USS Bonefish, USS Bullhead.

These men and their brothers and sisters in arms can never be repaid for their service but we can and should always remember them.