USS S-43 (SS-154) - Overhaul

Overhaul

The same month, SubDiv 53 was ordered back to Panama. Underway on 4 November, the boats, again accompanied by Griffin (AS-13), reached Coco Solo on 9 January 1943. There into the spring, S-43 proceeded to Cuba in early April; then retraced her route; transited the Panama Canal; and, on 26 April, arrived at San Diego, California, where she operated for the West Coast Sound School through the summer. In September, she commenced a five-month overhaul to prepare her for returning to the Solomons. Proceeding to Pearl Harbor in mid-February, she remained there through March for engine repairs; and, on 31 March, got underway again. Five days later, a crank case explosion in the starboard main engine forced her to put into Espiritu Santo for repairs. Finally, on 22 April, she arrived in Purvis Bay, whence she conducted antisubmarine warfare (ASW) training operations with Allied surface and air units. In January 1945, she returned to Australia, performed similar as operations through February; and, on 2 March, departed Australian waters for the last time. Heading for the American West Coast, she was fired on by an Allied merchant ship during poor weather on 18 March, but submerged before suffering any damage. On 5 April, she reached San Diego.