USS Gudgeon (SS-211) - Second and Third War Patrols

Second and Third War Patrols

On her second war patrol, 22 February to 15 April 1942 Gudgeon scored two kills, first sinking an unknown freighter maru on 26 March and then dispatching the 6526-ton Nissho Maru on 27 March in the East China Sea southeast of Kumun Island. She then checked into dry-dock for overhaul, but undocked three weeks early and readied for sea in a remarkable 40 hours to participate in the momentous Battle of Midway. Departing Pearl Harbor on 18 May, Gudgeon took station off Midway Island as part of the submarine screen which encircled the two giant fleets clashing there. Although she had a ringside seat for the action, which saw Japan handed its first naval defeat in 350 years, Gudgeon was prevented from offensive action by the confusion of battle and the possibility of mistaken identity. She returned to Pearl Harbor on 14 June.