by John D. Peters

By coincidence on this day, Forest Sterling, Yeoman of the USS Wahoo (SS-238), passed away and the son, grandson and great grandson of Dudley W. (Mush) Morton, CO of the USS Wahoo (SS-238), attended a Memorial Day ceremony on the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor nearly fifty-nine years after Wahoo was designated overdue and presumed lost on her Seventh War Patrol.

To really try to understand the significance and the honor felt by the submariners in Pearl Harbor, you must know something about Mush Morton. "Wahoo" by RADM Richard H. O'Kane is probably the best place to start with "US Submarine Operations in WWII" being next.

What is the legacy of Mush Morton? Listen to his words:

"In order not to lose the initiative, we continue to be aggressive."

"In ten hour running gun and torpedo battle destroyed entire convoy of two freighters, one transport, one tanker...all torpedoes expended...returning home."

"Another running gun fight...destroyer gunning...Wahoo running."

"There never is much water in this wading pond...We have to be careful with our angle on dives to keep from plowing into the bottom. Aircraft and patrols have been scarce because we are in virgin territory."

But examine the legacy more closely. Mush Morton understood that he must be the decision maker, not an operator, so he put his XO on the periscope. To Dick O'Kane his XO he said, "Now you're going to by my co-approach officer, not my assistant. You'll make all the approach and attack periscope observations, or on the TBT if we're on the surface. I'll conn Wahoo to the best attack position and then fire the torpedoes...this way I'll never get scared."

Morton also understood that training, making every member of the crew an expert at his job and in the team, was key. Speed, confidence and skill were the result of relentless training. Be the best and toughest dog in the fight.

Mush was a guiding light for the Submarine Force to follow. He rejected the wrong thinking of the pre-WWII force and adapted training and tactics to match the real world and destroy the enemy. And in the bill holders Mush placed this bill: "Shoot the Sons of B*****s!"

These lessons are applicable today and tomorrow. Shallow water, training, expertise, becoming the best, are the Submarine Force now. Read the book, learn from the legacy.

It was a great honor to have the family of legendary submarine Captain Dudley "Mush" Morton visit Pearl Harbor on Memorial Day 2002, standing in front of the brass plaque listing the names of those heroes lost in 1943 in USS Wahoo (SS-238).

L-R: Doug Morton, Marilyn Morton, Dudley Morton, Marian Lokey, Chase DeMier, Christine DeMier, Daniel DeMier (Christine is the late Mush Morton's grand daughter).

RADM John B. Padgett III, USN COMSUBPAC, the keynote speaker at the Memorial said, "On this first Memorial Day after the start of the global war on terrorism, we need to reflect upon the patriotism, the devotion to duty and heroism of those who have gone before us. While there are many monuments around the world to honor that sacrifice, the one monument that is most important is in our hearts."

"In the names and faces of those we honor today, the world sees our nation's greatest strength - people in uniform who are the product of every race, every creed and every region of the world. They are bound together by a common commitment to freedom, a profound belief in justice and common pride in being Americans."

"The idea of common humanity and unity amidst diversity, so purely embodied in those we honor, must surely confound the hate filled minds of the terrorists who challenge our way of life. They envy our strength without understanding the values that give us that strength."

It was really appropriate to have the son and grandson of Mush Morton, easily the best CO in the WWII Submarine Force, visit the USS Greeneville (SSN-772), easily the best submarine in the Force today. Doug and Mush (Morton's son and grandson) visited the crew of Greeneville, along with seven Midshipmen. Greeneville's CO, CDR Lee Hankins, XO and COB served as tour guides.

"Mush is my hero. He is my role model as a CO," said CDR Hankins.

The crew and Midshipmen were also thrilled to meet and chat with descendants of the Mush Morton of Wahoo. The seven Midshipmen are all determined to get into submarines. Doug and Mush told them, "The Submarine Navy never forgets it's legacy. The Navy is still talking about the actions of Mush Morton and Wahoo in WWII." Standing in front of Wahoo's battle flag in Greeneville's wardroom, Doug said, "The hardware changes but it doesn't matter how many flat screens or computers get installed, the soul of the submarine is the same. The soul is the crew."

The COB said the crew was really excited to be chosen to host the family of Mush Morton. In Greeneville, whenever Dolphins are awarded, a passage from "US Submarine Operations in WWII" is read. To meet the Mush Morton family after hearing so many action reports and comments on the crew of the Wahoo during WWII was really exciting. "We are happy to carry on the traditions of Mush and Wahoo." The crew of Greeneville really did most of the talking during the visit. Doug and Mush were impressed by the spirit and enthusiasm of the crew. The spirit of Wahoo is still alive in Greeneville. The COB, MMCM(SS) Pye, said Doug and Mush really sold the Midshipmen on submarines.

L-R: CDR Lee Hankins (CO USS Greeneville), Doug Morton, Dudley "Mush" Morton.

If you look at a picture of Mush Morton, you'll notice a strong resemblance between him and grandson Mush at the same age.

It was a real pleasure to have Mush Morton back in Pearl Harbor for Memorial Day in 2002 and a visit to the Submarine Force nearly sixty years after Wahoo was lost.

The Morton and DeMier families live in Denver, CO.

Reprinted by permission from American Submariner Magazine.