USS Gunnel (SS-253) - Second and Third Patrols

Second and Third Patrols

Subsequently assigned to the Pacific Fleet, Gunnel sailed to Pearl Harbor, then to her second patrol (28 May – 3 July 1943) in waters west of Kyūshū in the East China Sea. Success crowned her efforts when cargo ship Kayo Maru (6,300 tons) was sunk 15 June, giving Gunnel her first kill, and four days later when another cargo ship, Tokiwa Maru (7,000 tons), was sent under. Both sinkings were confirmed by JANAC postwar.

After overhaul at Mare Island, California, the submarine accomplished a third war patrol (17 November 1943-7 January 1944) in Japanese home waters off Honshū. This, too, was successful; on 4 December Gunnel sent passenger-cargo ship Hiyoshi Maru to the bottom.