Presidential Unit Citation Submarine Questions of the Week: 3-30-2010

...............................BACKGROUND
Her last war patrol was conducted in company with 2 other U.S. subs. She fired torpedoes making two good hits on a large tanker, and she received depth charge attacks from 4 enemy escorts. She was soon damaged, began leaking and lost depth control at 300 feet.
.
Unable to control the flooding or maintain depth, she battle surfaced from about 4oo feet with an awkward list to fight for her survival. As the enemy began to close she managed to offset her list and, passing within 50 yards of one attacker, she raked it with 20mm gunfire and her deck gun. She then exchanged gunfire with a second enemy and sent plain language directions for all other subs in the vicinity to attack. The prospect of other subs in the vicinity probably frightened or confused the enemy who had been pinging with sound gear.

She managed to slip away in a rain squall. Other than the serious internal damage caused by depth charges, she had suffered only small caliber hits from the enemy.

This sub was later awarded The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for valor. Recipient units must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross or Navy Cross to an individual.
.
QUESTIONS of the WEEK
.
1 - Which WW2 U.S. submarine was this?
.
2 - Her surface displacement was practically identical to the recently sunk South Korean naval corvette. What was the standard displacement (surface) of this sub?
.
3 - The sub's patch emblem is shaped like one of the playing card suits. Which one?
.
4 - How many submarines were ever awarded The Presidential Unit Citation during WW2?
.
5 - How many submarines were awarded Presidential Unit Citations during the Cold War (1947 - 1991)?
.
6 - How many of the subs in the answer to 5 were awarded PUCs more than once?
.
7 - How many U.S. submarines were lost (sunk) during the Cold War?
.
ANSWERS Saturday
.
Submarines are always silent and strange.