Live Grenades and a Guavina Torpedoman

Since 01-01-06

by Robert E. Straub

http://www.submarinesailor.com/history/guavina/GuavinaGrenades.asp

This is a true happening during WWII. The story is about US submarine sailors, a Japanese serviceman and hand grenades. No names will be revealed other than mine and the one to be mentioned later. Reason – I just do not remember the other submarine crew member’s names.

At the end of the fifth war patrol the USS Guavina was ordered to Subic Bay, in the Philippines, for repairs and upkeep, plus replenishment of supplies, ammunition, fuel oil and all other necessities to return to the patrol area. This was an advanced base facility consisting of the submarine tender Griffin, anchored out in the bay and protected by the cruiser USS San Diego, who was SOPA. It was the cruiser’s responsibility to protect the tender and the submarines present from Japanese air raids, which was sorely needed.

Our first night moored alongside the tender was filled with three separate air raids and the San Diego did a fine job in protecting the tender and the submarines tied along side. Also present were the submarines Flounder and Hoe. Just a few days before, on February 23, 1945, the Hoe collided with the Flounder underwater and cut a 25 foot gash in the Flounder’s starboard superstructure. This was the only submerged collision of two US submarines in the war.

USS Guavina SS-362

Normally after a patrol the submarine crew would be granted a two week rest leave and would be allowed to travel elsewhere. However, there were no facilities except for a Navy beer hall ashore at Subic Bay and the hours were controlled for handing out beer.

In order to keep out of the way of the relief crew workers most of the submarine crew would take a motor launch to a small pier at the water’s edge and roam around the shore line talking with the Philippine people. One day there was a group of four or five submarine sailors from the Guavina, myself included, waiting at the pier to be returned by the motor launch when out of the jungle appeared a Japanese service man dressed in clothing very similar to that of US Navy dungarees.

The problem was that he also had two hand grenades – one in each hand. The grenades were blatantly displayed. He approached our small group with arms and hands out stretched. Very calmly, Charles “Elmer” Botts, TM3SS, from the Guavina, approached the Japanese. “Elmer’s” arms and hands were out stretched with his palms upward. Our minds were all saying “what is next?”

Fortunately, the Japanese gently placed the grenades into “Elmer’s” out stretched hands. The Japanese then used his empty hands to gesture for food and water. In a matter of seconds two US Navy Shore Patrolmen entered the scene from the jungle and took away the Japanese person. To this day I do not remember what happened to the hand grenades nor do I recall one word being mentioned about this incident upon return to the submarine. I do suspect that the hand grenades were also turned over to the US Navy Shore Patrol.

“Elmer” lived in Williamsport, PA and is where I enlisted into the Navy. Williamsport is located about 40 miles north of my home town in PA. A few months after the incident “Elmer” and I were home on a 30 day leave and I spent a couple days of my leave with him.

The war ended and I did not see “Elmer” again until about 1950 when he appeared at a Naval Reserve Center in Williamsport where I was attending reserve meetings. That was the last time I saw “Elmer.”

A few years later I received word from my parents that “Elmer” was killed in a one car accident not too far from their home.

So “Elmer” buddy, thanks for your courage at the Subic Bay incident – and – SAILOR – REST YOUR OARS !!