World War II Navy Cross Recipient Visits Pacific Fleet Submariners

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) David Rush, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- World War II Navy Cross recipient retired Capt. Charles W. Rush Jr. met with submariners aboard Naval Station Pearl Harbor April 12-15.

His visit culminated with a Naval Submarine League awards ceremony at Lockwood Hall for the dedication of the Chief Electrician’s Mate Rendernick DC [damage control] Wet Trainer at Ford Island, and attendance at the Submarine Birthday Ball.

In November 1943, Rush, 85, of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., and his fellow crew members aboard USS Billfish (SS 286), were inundated with depth charges by the Japanese. Rush, then a lieutenant, is credited with saving Billfish and all hands on board. He directed damage control efforts after the severe depth charge attack incapacitated the ship's captain and all officers senior to Rush.

Keeping calm, Rush was able to submerge 170 feet below test depth for 12 hours with a ruptured aft pressure hull, while the submarine was riddled with major leaks through the stern tubes and various hull fittings.

After a junior officer relieved him, Rush discovered the helm was unmanned and that no action had been taken to counter the relentless depth charge attacks. He assumed command, posted a helmsman and proceeded to direct evasive actions by innovative maneuvers that retraced a path under the submarine's oil slick left by an explosion near the fuel ballast tanks. Rush eluded the enemy and surfaced four hours later.

“There were three (Japanese) destroyers up there, said Rush. "We had a 412-foot test depth. I took the boat down to 650 feet. That was the only way to keep them from getting a depth charge underneath us. A depth charge underneath you would kill you for sure. Up above it’s a lot less dangerous."

According to Rush, he wasn’t the only one who saved the submarine. “It was three chiefs and a first class who were the key people in this whole thing. I couldn’t have done it without the chiefs. They kept the crew going and saved the ship,” Rush added.

For the leaders of today’s submariners, Rush had some advice for their role as chiefs and junior officers.

“Without courage, you might as well not be in it. You’ve got to have courage--moral courage, physical courage--and honor. Honor means telling the truth even when it might not be to your advantage,” Rush said.

Cmdr. Chuck Harris, USS Honolulu’s (SSN 718) commanding officer, was glad to meet Rush and had him aboard for a tour and lunch with the crew. “Having somebody describing firsthand the experiences they went through in the war is far more phenomenal than anything you can ever read,” said Harris.

As for comparing the submarine force then and now, Harris observed that certain things remain constant. “The tactics and the equipment are different, but what he said about moral courage--when to press the attack and when to cut your losses--those things are the same. It doesn’t change,” said Harris.

“This is my first time to sit down with a World War II submarine veteran. His experiences are incredible; they’re enriching and very motivating,” Harris added.

Engineering Department’s Master Chief Electrician's Mate Sean Mullaney, whose grandfather served in the Navy during World War II, was delighted to have the opportunity to meet Rush.

“I think the thing that I enjoyed the most about talking to him was asking where they got the courage to continue to go out, patrol after patrol. He said the guys got it from each other. They helped each other get through it.”

Rush was awarded the Navy Cross almost 60 years after his courageous efforts during World War II. The Navy Cross is the Navy's second-highest award and is awarded to a person who distinguishes himself through extraordinary heroism in the presence of great danger or great personal risk.

From: http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12791

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