Richard O'Kane

Rear Admiral Richard H. O’Kane, Medal of Honor

Richard Hetherington O’Kane was born in Dover, New Hampshire, on 2 February 1911. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1934, he entered the submarine service and eventually became executive officer of USS Wahoo under Commander Dudley W. Morton. O’Kane served aboard Wahoo during five aggressive war patrols, gaining the combat experience that helped shape him into one of the most successful submarine commanders of the Second World War. (Naval History and Heritage Command⁠)

In October 1943, Lieutenant Commander O’Kane assumed command of the newly commissioned USS Tang (SS-306). During five war patrols in the Pacific, Tang attacked Japanese shipping with exceptional success. On her first patrol alone, the submarine was credited with sinking five enemy vessels. During her second patrol, while performing lifeguard duty near Truk, O’Kane and his crew rescued 22 American airmen who had been shot down during carrier operations. (Naval History and Heritage Command⁠)

O’Kane’s most celebrated action occurred during Tang’s fifth and final patrol in the waters near Formosa, now Taiwan, on the nights of 23 and 24 October 1944. Penetrating heavily defended Japanese convoys, he manoeuvred his submarine among tankers, transports, freighters and escorting warships, firing at close range while enemy guns and shells struck the surrounding water. His Medal of Honor citation credited him with extraordinary courage, tactical skill and leadership while inflicting severe losses upon the enemy. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society⁠)

After firing her final torpedo, a Mark 18 electric weapon, Tang suffered a catastrophic accident. The torpedo malfunctioned, broached and began running in a circle. Despite O’Kane’s attempt to evade it, the torpedo struck the submarine’s stern and sank her in approximately 180 feet of water. Only nine members of the crew survived the sinking, including O’Kane; most of the men trapped inside the submarine were lost. (Naval History and Heritage Command⁠)

O’Kane and the other survivors were captured by Japanese forces and spent the remainder of the war as prisoners. The Japanese initially concealed their capture, and the men endured interrogation, inadequate food, disease and brutal treatment until their liberation following Japan’s surrender in August 1945. O’Kane returned to the United States physically weakened but determined to continue his naval career. (Naval History and Heritage Command⁠)

For his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while commanding Tang during her final attacks, O’Kane received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman during a White House ceremony on 27 March 1946. His citation recognized his fearless leadership while attacking two heavily protected enemy convoys and successfully withdrawing from encirclement before the submarine’s accidental loss. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society⁠)

O’Kane remained in the United States Navy after the war and ultimately retired with the rank of rear admiral. He was widely regarded as the most successful American submarine commander of the Second World War, and USS Tang became one of the most celebrated submarines in American naval history. (Naval History and Heritage Command⁠)

Rear Admiral Richard H. O’Kane died on 16 February 1994, aged 83. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 59, Grave 874. His legacy is also commemorated by the guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG-77), named in his honour. (Arlington National Cemetery⁠)