Running Deep: Bravery, Survival, and the True Story of the Deadliest Submarine in World War II

Running Deep tells the true story of the USS Tang, the deadliest submarine in World War II, and its commanding officer, Captain Richard Hetherington O'Kane. Under O'Kane's command, the Tang sank more tonnage, rescued more downed aviators, and completed more surface attacks than any other American submarine. Submariners faced six times the mortality rate of sailors on surface ships. On October 24, 1944, the Tang engaged an entire Japanese convoy and destroyed it, but its 24th torpedo malfunctioned and struck the submarine instead. The Tang sank 180 feet below the surface. Of the 87 crew members aboard, nine survived, including O'Kane. Captured by the Japanese, O'Kane and other Tang sailors were imprisoned at a camp alongside other submariners and aviators, including Louis Zamperini and "Pappy" Boyington. The camp was designed to extract information from prisoners and allowed them to die from malnutrition, disease, and abuse. O'Kane became a special target after the Japanese learned of his notoriety. When the camp was liberated in August 1945, O'Kane survived despite weighing only 90 pounds. In January 1946, President Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor.