USN
Balao-class submarine
Captain
Lt. Cmdr J. S. Clark
Crew
82 (MIA/KIA)
Crew List
MIA
June 14, 1944
1944
Construction
Named 'Golet' in honor of the California trout. He keel was laid down by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and launched August 1, 1943. Sponsored by Mrs. Wiley, wife of United States Senator Alexander Wiley of Wisconsin. Commissioned on November 30. 1943 with Lt. Commander James M. Clement in command. Ferried down the Mississippi River, through the Panama Canal and to Pearrl Harbor.
First Patrol
Departed Pearl Harbor on March 18, 1944, to the Kuriles and the area south of Hokkaido and east of Honshu. Bad weather conditions and ice were encountered. Only one ship worth a torpedo came into view, and was too fast for the sub. No sinkings or damage to enemy ships was recorded.
Second Patrol
Command was given to Lt. Commander J. S. Clark. Enroute to her second patrol, Golet left Midway on May 28, 1944, for a patrol area off the
northeast coast of Honshu. No word was ever heard from her after
she departed Midway.
Sinking History
Golet was scheduled to depart her area on July 5,
1944, and was expected at Midway about July 12th or 13th. On July
9, 1944, she was sent a message which required an acknowledgement,
but none came. By July
26, 1944, the ship had not returned, and it was reported as presumed
lost.
In reports covering Japanese antisubmarine attacks, made since war’s end, one is recorded as having been on June 14, 1944. This attack is considered to explain Golet’s loss to depth charges. Japanese reported “On the spot of fighting we later discovered corks, raft, etc., and heavy oil pool of 50 by 5,200 meters.”
