RATON HISTORY

At T-2332, commenced firing (attack #3), saw and heard three prematures, swung ship, commenced firing aft, heard one hit.  The firing interval/timing determined all torpedoes ran, but prematured.  Outran the escorts and pulled clear.  29 November, T-0138, sent message, reported attack and results.  Commenced high-speed end around, at T-0230, range 8,000 yards.  The SJ radar failed.  At T-0300, range favorable, began firing at the after nest.  Nearest escort at 2,000 yards, began firing his guns, dropping depth charges, then the second escort turned toward us, also firing.  All torpedoes that were fired, missed.  We pulled away at high speed.  At T-1701, Lat 2-47N, Long 143-58E, making end run, heard three distant torpedo explosions, then twenty depth charges.  Went full on four main engines to close, assuming one of our subs was then attacking submerged.  As we closed area, both escorts saw us and headed our way.  We reversed course, went flank speed and at 20 knots began to out run them.  Both were firing deck guns at us, all landing astern.

Navy records indicate GATO had arrived on the scene, and joined in to attack the convoy we were chasing.  They sank one ship, and were attacked by the escorts.  Raton purposely went in, and drew the escorts off GATO.  Ship sunk by GATO was COLUMBIA MARU (AK).  On 1 December was ordered to leave the area.  Jim Davis (CO) was awarded the Silver Cross.  Received a message from Admiral Halsey of "Well Done", and given name "Mickey Mouse, Hunter, Maru Killer".  On 4 December, arrived at Tulagi (Guadacanal) to re-confirm CTF-72 messages, go to Milne Bay.  Underway in two hours, arrived alongside tender FULTON at Milne Bay on 6 December 1943.  Raton's first patrol was 24 days, fired 23 torpedoes, obtaining eight hits, had six prematures.  Raton was credited for three cargo (AK) ships sunk, for 18,666 tons.

RATON WAR PATROL # 2 - Commanding Officer, J. W. Davis CDR USN

After a short rest and refit alongside FULTON, Raton departed on 11 December.  Note from my diary:  Enjoyed a three-day rest period, mostly on the beach in the jungle.  Had beer busts, played ball with the RAY crew, got a buzz on from somebody's 190 and were curiously looked upon by "fuzzy wuzzy" natives who then remarked, "Yankee all dam well big fool, play catchem ball under dam hot sun".  Swam on beaches among many wrecked landing barges.  Underway in company with RAY and PC-476 (escort), joined by COUCAL, simulating attacks from 12-13 December heading for BRAMBLE BAY, anchored.  On 14 December released PC-476, with RAY made transit Torres Strait (between Australia and New Guinea) and anchored in Prince of Wales Channel.  Took off at T-1915, RAY left to operate indenpendately, on 14 December.  On 18 December T-0930, sighted RAY, met up with ML-814 (escort to Darwin) and at T-1254 moored alongside fuel dock, took on 23,900 gallons.  Received patrol orders from CTF-71.  T-1744 underway, 18 Decenber 1943.  Patrol area Mindanao-Celebes-Halmahara.  Ran north past Timor Island, submerged patrolling off Buru Island, Obi Strait, and Mayo Island and on 24 December off entrance to Morota Strait.  Radar contact on four merchantman and two destroyers (DD).  At T-0203 fired at the largest ship, range 2,200 yards, two hits seen, a third hit heard below.  At T-0206 fired after room, range 2,700 yards.  Rainsquall setting in, heard, then felt one hit.  Escort charged in, we opened at flank on four main engines.  It was nip and tuck, escort closed to 1,100 yards, we then began to open range.  T-0209, many depth charges, explosions, rumbling noises, and large yellow-orange flames aft, silhoutte the target.  At T-0215 broke off.  Began patrolling off Saramgani-Halmahara shipping lane, commenced re-load.  Raton was credited with sinking a large cargo ship (AK/AP) and damaging a seaplane tender (AV), identified as HEIWA MARU.  On 2 January 1944 at Lat 5N Long 128-15E, sighted two large empty tankers (AO) and a destroyer (DD).  At T-0539 also sighted three large loaded tankers with another destroyer (DD).  Broke off contact from first group.  Destroyer closed, we submerged, and he turned back to convoy.  At T-1810 surfaced and regained contact, then, went to "battle stations", flooded down at T-2350.  At T-0220, 3 January, commenced firing and at T-0224 saw, heard and felt first of three hits from bridge on the nearest tanker.  Range was too great to fire stern tubes at destroyer, broke off, and opened.  Raton was credited with sinking a larger tanker, Nippon Maru class.  On 14 January headed south from our area.  On 16 January set course for Dili Harbor (Timor Island), made a two-day recon of entrance, and inside outer harbor.  On 19 January set course for Freemantle.  On 25 January, T-0750 arrived alongside ORION.  Patrol was designated "Successful".  Flew Raton's first battle flag, made by JOE SABOL, gunner.  Raton's second patrol was 44 days.  Rest camp was Ocean Beach Hotel.

RATON WAR PATROL # 3 - Commanding Officer, J. W. Davis CDR USN

The third patrol, from 18 February to 14 April 1944  (57 days), was conducted in the Java Sea, the Karimata Strait and South China Sea.  Two convoy contacts were made.  The RASHER sank the two ships of the first convoy before Raton could attack.  The second convoy when sighted was lost between the coastal islands offshore, probably entered port.  Homeward bound, after a frustraiting long patrol, Raton topped off fuel at Exmouth Gulf taking aboard 13,814 gallons of fuel.  On 14 April 1944 arrived at Freemantle, at T-1211, moored alongside tender ORION.  Patrol was designated "Not Sussessful".  Rest camp was at the Wentworth Hotel.