KEN RASH
11/1/1923 to 8/22/2019
11/1/1923 to 8/22/2019
I had the honor & privilege of meeting Ken and his wife, Linda, in May of 2015. The story below is Ken's personal story of the war; I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you Ken for your service to our country!
At the age of 18, I left Franklin Indiana and joined the USN on Dec. 4, 1941 ( 3 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor) and received a Honorable discharge on June 22, 1946 with the Rank of MoMM 1/c .
( Motor Machinist Mate First Class). I volunteered for Submarine service and served in the South Pacific Battles (Sea of Japan, Coral Sea, South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean). My 1st submarine was the USS Plunger SS 179 (I made 5 War Patrols) and my 2nd submarine was the USS Barbero SS 317 which I put into Commission (made the 2 War Patrols). The USS Plunger was the 1st US Submarine into the Sea of Japan in 1942 and 1st boat to take Radar to Sea. My submarines sunk Japanese Cargo, Tanker, Flag Ships and a Destroyer. We received many depth charges and an aerial bomb hit. |
The WWII U.S Submarine Service record is indisputable. We comprised less than 1.6 percent of the total U.S Naval strength but Caused more than Half of Japan's sea losses (54.6 percent). These sinkings which took almost half a million Japanese lives, however, were made at the heaviest relative cost of American lives of any branch of the U.S Armed Forces. One out of every Seven American Submariners died for a total of 3505 officers and enlisted men. The service lost One out of Every Five submarines: 52 sunk or "missing presumed lost."
I am qualified to wear the Submarine Dolphin Pin and the Submarine Combat Pin with 1 Silver Star and 2 Gold Stars. I also received US Navy Commendation letters with Device, The Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, American Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal.
The Submarine was my home, weapon, faith and pride. WWII ended and God brought me back home to Indiana. *
I am qualified to wear the Submarine Dolphin Pin and the Submarine Combat Pin with 1 Silver Star and 2 Gold Stars. I also received US Navy Commendation letters with Device, The Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, American Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal.
The Submarine was my home, weapon, faith and pride. WWII ended and God brought me back home to Indiana. *
* This story was used with permission by Ken & Linda Rash.