" THE TANG'S LAST SHOT " 1957 THE SILENT SERVICE TV SHOW EPISODE XD13284

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The Silent Service was a documentary style anthology series about the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet and their missions during World War II and the Korean War created by Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers, who retired from the Navy in the late 1940s. Every episode was based on real historical events, with the realism of the show reinforced by the use of actual combat footage from the archives of the United States Navy. This particular episode titled “The Tang’s Last Shot” is episode 37 from season 1 of the show, which aired Friday, December 13th, 1957.

Directed by Jean Yarbrough and written by Milton Geiger, “The Tang’s Last Shot” features a cast of actors which includes Jerry Paris, George Brenlin, Alvy Moore, Don Haggerty, Walter Kelley, Charles Fredericks, James Patton, Bob Denver, and Peter Opp. Together, this crew of actors bring to life the story of a WWII Balao-class submarine, the USS Tang (SS-306), when on its fifth and final patrol, succumbed to its own torpedo off China in the Taiwan Strait on 24 October 1944 after sinking an entire convoy. During the ship’s short nine month career in the Pacific Theater, Tang sank 33 ships totaling 116,454 tons.

Following an introduction by Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers (0:32), the episode opens to footage of CDR William Leibold and CDR Richard H. O'Kane on night patrol abroad USS Tang using periscope, binoculars - when enemy spotted the ship attacks by launching mortar shot at tanker before diving to avoid destroyer (1:12). Depth charges dropped from above, causes crew aboard USS Tang to jolt, including Radioman Floyd M. Caverly (1:49). USS Tang receives Presidential Unit Citation; Footage of submarine docked at Pearl Harbor for refit (2:19). O’Kane speaks to crew aboard upper deck of submarine, applauds them for being awarded Presidential Unit Citation, briefs crew for upcoming deployment (3:05). Night of October 11th - USS Tang arrives on station in Formosa Straights, area heavily patrolled by enemy ships (4:04). Tang launches attacks on a few ships, sinks two (4:10). Leibold and O'Kane back patrolling from upper deck, other men return to bunks, look at keepsakes that they stored under their pillows (5:09). O'Kane recounts last tour on USS Wahoo under Commander Morton, Morton deceased after last mission patrolling Sea of Japan (5:58). Radar reports enemy ships, captain orders crew to get into battle stations torpedo; Three large freighters, a couple of heavy tankers spotted in distance (9:22). USS Tang fires four torpedoes at enemy ships destroying two in process, Leibold notices another ship speeding towards them in retaliation (10:36). USS Tang manages to get out of ship’s way, instead ship rams into its own ammunition causing major explosion (12:10). Escort, destroyer ship spotted in distance; In strange turn of events the two ships begin firing at each other (12:20). After battle USS Tang runs submerged to prepare ship for next round of fighting, scenes of crew members cleaning equipment, communal areas of submarine until spotless (13:40). O’Kane has one-on-one chat below deck with member of crew, positive performance review (14:50). Cleaning of crew quarters interrupted by call to battle stations; USS Tang makes contact with heavily escorted enemy convoy of troops, supplies, airplane parts and chases them on water’s surface before opening fire and causing severe damage to convoy (17:55). Last two torpedoes fired at already crippled cargo ship, first shot a success but second torpedo U-turns and hits the USS Tang (20:11). USS Tang taking on water, crew scrambles up to bridge of ship, views above water of crew/ survivors swimming in open ocean (21:30). Nine survivors, including O'Kane, picked up the next morning by Japanese frigate CD-34 (23:11). Shot of White House; April 1946 President Harry Truman presents CDR Richard H. O'Kane Congressional Medal of Honor; Close-up of medal before footage switches to memorial wreath floating in water (23:27). Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers closing words and interview with Radioman Floyd M. Caverly (23:59).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com/