USS Runner (SS-275)

Runner was a Gato class submarine commissioned at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine in July of 1942. However, it was not completed until October.

Runner departed Midway for her third patrol on 28 May 1943. She was to patrol the area off the Japanese home island of Hokkaido for about one month, returning to Midway on or about 11 July 1943. She was never heard from again. There are no attacks in that area at that time in Japanese records. However, Runner received credit for sinking two Japanese ships in June since she was the only American submarine in the area. Her loss was likely due to a mine, but could also be operational or an unreported enemy attack.

On her first war patrol, Runner fired torpedoes at three different freighters. None was confirmed as sunk or damaged. However, the third attack resulted in an attack by a Japanese aircraft. A bomb exploded close to Runner’s port side while at periscope depth. Repairs were made while at 200 feet. However, due to the damage to the periscopes, she had to terminate the patrol.

Her second patrol was a mine-laying mission, which she completed. After that, she sighted a freighter and fired three torpedoes. Only one exploded. The Japanese claimed the vessel, which did not sink, was a hospital ship. However, other records do not support the claim.

Runner was lost on her third war patrol and JANAC credited her with two sinkings for 6,273 tons.