Attack of the First Japanese Midget Submarine

Name: Attack of the First Japanese Midget Submarine
Start: 1941-12-07
Location: Unspecified

The Encounter of USS Ward and Japanese Midget Submarine No. 20

Background of the USS Ward

The USS Ward was a Gleaves-class destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1941, shortly before World War II escalated. Under the command of Lieutenant Commander William G. McCrea, USS Ward was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ship played a pivotal role during the early stages of the Pacific War.

The Midget Submarines of Japan

Japan deployed a unique class of submarine known as midget submarines for clandestine operations during World War II. Midget submarines were small and agile, designed to infiltrate enemy ports and cause damage to larger vessels. The famous Japanese midget submarine No. 20 was part of a larger attack plan against the US Pacific Fleet.

The Attack on December 7, 1941

The Initial Detection by USS Ward

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the USS Ward detected a suspicious underwater object near Pearl Harbor. The crew suspected it was a midget submarine. After confirming its intrusion, the crew prepared for action, marking a significant moment in naval history as it represented one of the first shots fired by the United States against Japanese forces.

The Engagement with Japanese Midget Submarine No. 20

At approximately 6:45 a.m., USS Ward opened fire on the midget submarine No. 20, hitting it repeatedly. The submarine was soon reported as sinking. This engagement marked not only a clash between the submarine and the destroyer but also a notable moment in the lead-up to a broader conflict between the US and Japan.

Consequences of the Clash

The Shift in Naval Warfare

The encounter between USS Ward and Japanese Midget Submarine No. 20 represented a shift in naval warfare, where smaller, agile vessels began to challenge conventional battleships. The event underscored the importance of vigilance and the significance of submarines in naval strategy.

The Prelude to Pearl Harbor

Unfortunately, the sinking of the midget submarine did not prevent the later attack on Pearl Harbor that morning, when Japan launched a full strike on the US naval base. Nonetheless, the incident with the USS Ward was significant as it marked the United States' readiness to engage in combat and provided a harbinger of the events to unfold in World War II.

Fun Fact

The First Shot of World War II in the Pacific

The USS Ward's attack on the Japanese midget submarine No. 20 can be viewed as one of the first offensive actions of the United States against the Axis powers in the Pacific, making it a remarkable moment in naval history.