Walter Frederick Schlech, Jr., USN
| Born | 18 Jun 1915 | ?, New York, USA | |
| Died | 25 Jan 1985 | (69) |
| Ranks
Retired: 1 Jul 1970 Decorations |
Warship Commands listed for Walter Frederick Schlech, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Tilefish (307) | T/Cdr. | Submarine | 15 Jan 1945 | 7 Sep 1945 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine USS Tilefish (307)
19 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.
21 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.
22 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.
23 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 23/24 January 1945, USS Thresher (T/Cdr. J.R. Middleton, Jr., USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with, at least, USS Austin (Lt. W.H. White, USNR). These included night exercises.
26 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.
27 Jan 1945
During 27/28 January 1945, USS Peto (T/Cdr. R.H. Caldwell, Jr., USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Whitman (Lt. E.A. Sandor, USNR). In the early evening of the 27th, USS Doherty (Lt. W.J. O'Brien, USNR) also joined. The exercises included night exercises.
31 Jan 1945
Around 1330VW/31, USS Thresher (T/Cdr. J.R. Middleton, Jr., USN), and USS Peto (T/Cdr. R.H. Caldwell, Jr., USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for their fifteenth, eight and fifth war patrols repectively. The first two submarines were to patrol in Luzon Strait and USS Tilefish was to patrol in the Ryukyu Islands area. Before proceeding to their patrol areas the submarines were to proceed to Saipan.
On departure from Pearl Harbor they were escorted until 1700VW/31 by USS PC-483 (Lt. D.J. Creahan, USNR) and another patrol craft.
1 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930X/1, USS Shad (T/Lt.Cdr. L.V. Julihn, USN), joined USS Thresher (T/Cdr. J.R. Middleton, Jr., USN), and USS Peto (T/Cdr. R.H. Caldwell, Jr., USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN). USS Shad had departed Pearl Harbour late and overtook and joined the other submarines at sea.
12 Feb 1945
Around 0300K/12, USS Thresher (T/Cdr. J.R. Middleton, Jr., USN), USS Shad (T/Lt.Cdr. L.V. Julihn, USN), USS Peto (T/Cdr. R.H. Caldwell, Jr., USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) were joined by USS LCI(L)-1054 (Lt.(jg) W.H. Spicer, USNR) which then escorted them to Tenapag Harbor, Saipan where they arrived around 1200K/12.
The submarines were then taken in hand for voyage repairs by USS Fulton (T/Capt. A.A. Clarkson, USN).
13 Feb 1945
USS Tilefish (Lt.Cdr. Walter Frederick Schlech, Jr.) arrived at Saipan
13 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630K/13, USS Thresher (T/Cdr. J.R. Middleton, Jr., USN), USS Shad (T/Lt.Cdr. L.V. Julihn, USN), USS Peto (T/Cdr. R.H. Caldwell, Jr., USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) departed Saipan for their patrol areas.
They were escorted out until 2320K/13 by USS LCI(L)-371 (Lt.(jg) B.M. Daniel, USNR).
16 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000K/16, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) parted company with USS Thresher (T/Cdr. J.R. Middleton, Jr., USN), USS Shad (T/Lt.Cdr. L.V. Julihn, USN) and USS Peto (T/Cdr. R.H. Caldwell, Jr., USN). (1)
23 Feb 1945
At 0710K/23, east-south-east of Kuchinoshima, in position 29°55'N, 130°05'E, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN), picked up echo ranging bearing 075°. It was not possible to see any target in the darkness so continued to close.
At 0712K/23, more echo ranging was picked up on bearing 080°.
At 0746K/23, smoke was sighted as well as masts and a stack. USS Tilefish commenced tracking and went to battle stations. The enemy tracked on course 215° at 9 knots. The targets were subsequently identified as a small freighter, a small oiler and a medium freighter of which only the funnel and masts could be seen. Range to the convoy was 15000 yards. A Chidori-class torpedo boat was escorting the convoy on the starboard bow with two trawlers on either quarter. An unknown escort vessel was pinging on the far side of the convoy.
At 0911K/23 - USS Tilefish secured from battle stations being unable to close any further than 8000 yards.
At 0932K/23 - A float plane was seen to circle the convoy.
At 1040K/23 - USS Tilefish surfaced and commenced an end around.
At 1158K/23 - The smoke of the convoy was lost from sight.
At 1220K/23 - The aircraft apparently sighted USS Tilefish, left the convoy and commenced closing. USS Tilefish submerged to periscope depth. Range to the convoy was now about 5 nautical miles. The aircraft started circling about a mile astern of USS Tilefish but soon returned to the convoy. It was seen that the aircraft had no bomb load.
At 1315K/23 - USS Tilefish surfaced and resumed her end around. 15 minutes later the smoke of the convoy was again seen. The aircraft was still patrolling over the convoy.
At 1416K/23 - The aircraft had now disappeared so commenced to close the convoy.
At 1540K/23 - USS Tilefish sighted two aircraft coming towards at high speed and low altitude. Dived when the range was 6 miles. Contact with the convoy was lost shortly afterwards as the convoy apparently moved to the west side of the island chain. (1)
28 Feb 1945 (position 29.04, 129.39)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) sank a small Japanese vessel with gunfire north of Amagi-O-Shima, Ryukyu Islands in position 29°04'N, 129°39'E.
Later USS Tilefish attacked what is thought to be a Japanese Ro-type submarine with a total of ten torpedoes in three attacks. All torpedoes however missed the north-west / northbound target that was zigging wildly. The only Ro-type submarine that could have been in the area is Ro-109 that was en-route to Kure (arrived 2 March) from operations off Luzon.
Later it was believed that USS Tilefish herself was attacked with at least two torpedoes, that broached, by another enemy submarine [this is unlikely though. Most likely the 'torpedoes' were fish].
0800K/28 - Sighted masts of a small craft bearing 141°.
0846K/28 - Surfaced, manned the guns and commenced to chase the target.
0900K/28 - Identified the target as a wooden cargo lugger of about 90 tons. A small machine gun was mounted on the target.
0921K/28 - The target was manoeuvring to avoid. Opened fire with the 4" gun from 3000 yards. Secured two hits. Closed to 1000 yards and opened fire with 40mm and 20mm.
0940K/28 - The target was now full of holes but not sinking. The engine was still running driving him round in circles. Shifted 40mm fire forward to try to hole him there.
0957K/28 - The target was now on fire and partially awash and obviously in a sinking condition. Broke off the action and retired to the south-east.
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1212K/28 - Surfaced in position 29°08'N 129°51'E, but before the hatch was even open a submarine was sighted through the periscope so immediately dived again and commenced an approach on the target.
1221K/28 - The target was seen to be a Japanese Ro-type submarine on a main course of 325° at 12 knots but zigging wildly.
1238K/28 - In position 29°09'N 129°48'E, fired four stern torpedoes from 1300 yards. Immediately on completion of firing swung round to bring the bow tubes to bear.
1241K/28 - The target had swung left and the torpedoes had obviously missed so fired four bow torpedoes from 1720 yards. All missed.
1243K/28 - Heard end of run explosions from the first salvo.
1247K/28 - The target appears to have steadied. Fired the remaining two bow torpedoes in the tubes from 2565 yards.
1248K/28 - Heard end of run explosions from the second salvo.
1253K/28 - Heard end of run explosions from the last two torpedoes fired.
1310K/28 - Returned to periscope depth. Saw the target zigging away on a base course of 355°.
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1617K/28 - Surfaced and proceeded to the south-east at three-engine speed to take up lifeguard duties in the morning.
1635K/28 - North-east of Amami-O-Shima, in position 28°50'N, 130°18'E, sighted two trawlers at a range of 10000 yards proceeding on course 090° at 5 knots. Took evasive action.
1640K/28 - Sighted an impulse bubble on the port quarter at a range of about 1000 yards. Turned away and put it astern at high speed.
1649K/28 - Sighted a torpedo broaching, 10° on the starboard bow, at a range of about 800 yards. Came right to parallel it.
1651K/28 - Sighted a second torpedo broaching bearing 110° relative. This must be a second enemy submarine as it was not possible for the first one sighted to have coompleted an end around on Tilefish by this time.
1745K/28 - Resumed course and speed.
1 Mar 1945
At 0859K/1, while performing lifeguard duties to the west of Amami-O-Shima, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) picked up the pilot of a crashed US fighter aircraft from the sea. (1)
4 Mar 1945 (position 28.43, 130.20)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) sank the Japanese fishing vessel Siko Maru (aprrox. 20 GRT, ships name according to survivor) wih gunfire to the north-east of Agami-O-Shima.
0435K/4 - Obtained radar contact at a range of 7100 yards.
0445K/4 - The target was apparently small and hove to. Closed to identify.
0458K/4 - Sighted the target but unable to identify it yet. Continued to close.
0507K/4 - Range now 3800 yards. The target is small and it was still not possible to identify the vessel.
0520K/4 - Opened out and commenced circling the target at a range of 6000 yards with the intention to close the target at dawn from the westward.
0651K/4 - Submerged to the west of the target keeping in contact from radar depth.
0730K/4 - Sighted the target, indeed a small craft which was seen to be a small 20 tons fishing vessel. Commenced to close.
0958K/4 - Battle surfaced with 40mm and 20mm guns manned and continued to close. The 4" gun was giving trouble since the last action.
1010K/4 - The Japanese apparently sighted the submarine and apparenly mistook it for one of their own as they started waving Japanese flags.
1011K/4 - In position 28°43'N, 130°20'E, opened fire with the 40mm gun which had been giving instructions to fire on the forward part of the vesse however the first hits were aft.
1014K/4 - Ceased fire.
1020K/4 - Passed close aboard trying to convince the Japanese to come aboard but to no avail.
1030K/4 - Opened fire at the bow of the vessel with 40mm and 20mm to sink the vessel and smoke out the Japanese crew which were aft.
1037K/4 - The vessel began to sink. One survivor was seen which, having refused at first, finally came over at 1212K/4 and was taken prisoner.
1240K/4 - The target finally sank. 44 round of 44mm and 120 rounds of 20mm had been expended. (1)
5 Mar 1945 (position 29.30, 129.34)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese minesweeper W 15 (500 tons, offsite link) off Suwanosejima, Japan in position 29°30'N, 129°45'E.
W 15 is run aground but is later declared a total loss.
0953K/5 - Heard echo ranging on bearing 220°. Apparently there were three ships pinging. Also sighted a Jake aircraft circling in that direction.
1016K/5 - Sighted smoke bearing 219°. Commenced approach.
1036K/5 - Went to battle stations. It was thought the convoy was made up of three transports with a torpedo boat ahead. According to the pinging there were, at least, two other escorts which could not yet be seen. The transport in the centre was the largest and was selected as target.
1045K/5 - The torpedo boat was patrolling from side to side ahead of the convoy.
1139K/5 - In position 29°30'N, 129°34'E fired three stern torpedoes at the largest transport from 950 yards
1143K/5 - Heard explosions. While looking at the target a cloud of smoke was seen over his stern but the ship looked undamaged.
1145K/5 - Heard an end of run explosion. Also sound reprorted a torpedo running erratic.
1147K/5 - Saw the torpedo boat appearing of the stern of the largest transport. The torpedo boat was on fire aft and down by the stern. Apparently he had zigged into the torpedo salvo.
1150K/5 - Heard an end of run explosion of the erratic running torpedo.
1153K/5 - Sighted the largest transport turning towards. Went deep.
1158K/5 - Depth charging started. Seven were dropped which all exploded above.
1203K/5 - Two more depth charges exploded, they were not close.
1210K/5 - Three escorts were pinging overhead. Took evasive action while deep.
1220K/5 - A string of three depth charges was dropped.
1241K/5 - Returned to periscope depth. The convoy appeared to have scattered.
1245K/5 - Sighted the torpedo boat dead in the water near Suwanosejima with three escorts circling round her.
1253K/5 - Commenced to close from a range of 10000 yards to finish off the torpedo boat.
1320K/5 - The cripple was taken in tow. One of the escorts proceeded to round up one of the transports of the convoy. Continued to track and trail the cripple.
1605K/5 - Sighted the torpedo boat beached with two of the other escorts patrolling and pinging to seaward.
1631K/5 - Commenced to close. The Japanese crew were seen to be working to try to save the ship.
1707K/5 - In position 29°35'8"N, 129°44'7"E, fired two bow torpedoes from 2800 yards. Two explosions were seen at or near the target [apparently the torpedoes had hit the reef] which afterwards appeared to be deeper in the water and listing more. The Japanese crew cleared the side of the ship. The escorts were meanwhile closing.
1719K/5 - Depth charging started while Tilefish passed 150 feet. More depth charges followed and a total of ten were counted, all close but above as Tilefish had meanwhile gone to 400 feet while retiring the the east and later north-east.
1835K/5 - Returned to periscope depth. (2)
8 Mar 1945
At 1258K/8, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) detected echo ranging to the north-eastward. Closed to investigate.
At 1320K/8, sighted the target, a torpedo boat, approaching from the northward. Range was 8000 yards.
The enemy was seen patrolling near the anchorage where the other torpedo boat had been beached. Started attack.
At 1358K/8, fired three bow torpedoes from 2400 yards but the target was seen to reverse course shortly afterwards.
At 1406K/8, three heavy explosions were heard.
At 1408K/8, rigged for depth charging and silent running at 400 feet. During the next hour a total of 17 depth charges were counted dropped in single and doubles. None were close and all were above.
At 1500K/8, returned to periscope depth. The torpedo boat was well to the north-eastward retiring in the direction he originally came from.
The ship sighted may have been the frigate Kaibokan 68. (2)
9 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2225K/9, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) received orders that she was required to carry out air-sea rescue duties south of Honshu for an upcoming strike by B-29 bombers on Nagoya. She left her current patrol area around 0600K/10 and arrived in her lifeguard station at midnight during the night of 10/11 March. (1)
15 Mar 1945
At 0655K/15, west-north-west of the Kashinozaki Lighthouse, in position 33°31'N, 136°04'E, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) picked up two targets on radar proceeding close to the beach on course 225° at 14 knots. Commenced tracking. Visibility was poor due to rain squalls.
At 0746K/15, the targets appear to have stopped off Oshima Island. It looked like they were circling.
At 0803K/15, USS Tilefish commenced to close to investigate.
At 0805K/15, two destroyers, thought to be of the Fubuki-class, suddenly appeared through the rain at a range of 8000 yards. They challenged the submarine which quickly retired into a rain squall to the eastward.
At 1030K/15, the targets were still circling in the same spot. Visibility was still poor. USS Tilefish commenced closing again.
At 1200K/15, USS Tilefish was in position 33°28'5"N, 135°56'2"E.
At 1230K/15, the two targets were seen again, still thought to be Fubuki-class destroyers, Hibiki-subclass. They were still circling in the same spot and pinging. Continued approach. They were circling at 7 knots, radius 1000 yards.
At 1300K/15, the pinging stopped and the targets retired up Oshima Bay. It was now thought they had been exercising and now returned to base. It was thought an escort base was present at that location. (1)
16 Mar 1945
At 0940K/16, south-east of the Kashinozaki Lighthouse, in position 33°11'N, 136°06'E, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) sighted smoke on the horizon. Tilefish commenced an end around.
At 1155K/16, the target checked on a steady course of 060° at 8 knots. Tilefish submerged with the smoke bearing 240°.
At 1200K/16, Tilefish was in position 33°19'N, 136°10'E.
At 1215K/16, the masts of the target were seen.
At 1250K/16, Tilefish went to battle stations. The target was seen to be a small three-island type ship of about 1000 tons with exceptionally high masts with lookout platforms. No cargo handling gear was visible and there was a gun forward and one aft. It is thought to be an auxiliary A/S vessel, possibly a Q-ship. Commenced attack.
At 1300K/16, range had come down to 3000 yards but now the enemy changed course to 320° and the attack had to be broken off.
At 1815K/16, Tilefish surfaced and left the area to take up a position in which air/sea rescue / lifeguard duties were to be carried out for an upcoming airstrike on Kobe. Tilefish arrived on her assigned station at 0100K/17. (1)
18 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0030K/18, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) received a signal that an air strike on Nagoya was coming up and that Tilefish was required for air/sea rescue lifeguard duties.
She arrived in her assigned station at 0200K/19. (1)
19 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While on air/sea rescue lifeguard duties, at 0525K/19, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) obtained radar contact in position 33°59'N, 137°11'E. The contact was a small target on bearing 140° at a range of 6000 yards. Commenced tracking but five minutes later electric power was lost and the radar was thus out of action.
Power was restored at 0540K/19 but the radar contact had been lost. Enemy course had been approximately 230° at 5 knots. It had not been possible to identify the target. (1)
20 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0530K/20, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) obtained radar contact in position 33°16'N, 135°40'E on bearing 272° at a range of 10500 yards. USS Tilefish changed course and went to full speed on four engine to close to investigate.
0545K/20, the target was tracking on course 280° at 18 knots or more. The pip on the radar screen was smaller than a destroyer pip so it was possibly another type of escort or perhaps a submarine. Contact was lost at 13800 yards and the end around was abandoned.
1150K/20, In position 33°27'N 135°53'E, USS Tilefish sighted a small harbor tug with an empty lighter in tow proceeding on course 235° at 4 knots. The enemy entered Oshima Bay. (1)
21 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1230K/21, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) heard echo ranging in position 34°32'N, 137°37'E on bearing 313°. Nothing was in sight though.
At 1238K/21, it was noticed that the pinging was drawing to the left. USS Tilefish adjusted her course to continue closing.
At 1241K/21, the target was seen. It was a patrol craft proceeding fairly fast. Range was 9000 yards. USS Tilefish continued to close.
At 1340K/21, the approach was broken off. Range had come down to 6000 yards but could not be closed any further. The target had tracked on course 250° at 16 knots. (1)
23 Mar 1945
At 0450K/23, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) left patrol to proceed to Midway. (1)
27 Mar 1945
USS Tilefish (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr.) ended her 5th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She is now sent to the US west coast for a major overhaul.
29 Mar 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) ended her fifth war patrol at Midway. (1)
2 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having completed some voyage repairs, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) departed Midway for Pearl Harbor.
6 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor from Midway.
8 Apr 1945
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) departed Pearl Harbor for San Francisco.
15 Apr 1945
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) arrived at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard at San Francisco from Pearl Harbor. She was then taken in hand for refit.
27 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) completed her refit at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard at San Francisco. She then commenced post refit trials in the San Francisco area.
3 Jul 1945
Having completed her post refit trials, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor.
11 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor from San Francisco. It had meanwhile been decided that post refit training was to be carried out at Midway instead of Pearl Harbor.
12 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) departed Pearl Harbor for Midway.
16 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) arrived at Midway from Pearl Harbor. She now commenced a training period.
22 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Muskalunge (T/Cdr. W.H. Lawrence, USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Midway together with USS Loeser (Lt.Cdr. J. Proctor, USNR), USS Sicard (Lt. A.G. Fenley, USNR), USS PC-778 (Lt. F.J. Whittlessey, USNR), USS ATR-26 (Lt. R. MacLetchie, USNR) and USS ATR-63 (Lt. R.W. Coffey, USN).
23 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Muskalunge (T/Cdr. W.H. Lawrence, USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Midway together with USS Loeser (Lt.Cdr. J. Proctor, USNR), USS Sicard (Lt. A.G. Fenley, USNR), USS PC-778 (Lt. F.J. Whittlessey, USNR), USS ATR-26 (Lt. R. MacLetchie, USNR) and USS ATR-63 (Lt. R.W. Coffey, USN).
26 Jul 1945
USS Muskalunge (T/Cdr. W.H. Lawrence, USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Midway together with USS Sicard (Lt. A.G. Fenley, USNR), USS PC-778 (Lt. F.J. Whittlessey, USNR) and USS ATR-63 (Lt. R.W. Coffey, USN).
27 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Muskalunge (T/Cdr. W.H. Lawrence, USN) and USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Midway together with USS Loeser (Lt.Cdr. J. Proctor, USNR), USS Sicard (Lt. A.G. Fenley, USNR), USS PC-778 (Lt. F.J. Whittlessey, USNR) and USS ATR-63 (Lt. R.W. Coffey, USN).
28 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Midway together with USS Sicard (Lt. A.G. Fenley, USNR) and USS ATR-63 (Lt. R.W. Coffey, USN).
2 Aug 1945
Around 0840Y/2, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) departed Midway for her sixth war patrol. She is to patrol off the Sakashima Islands for air/sea rescue lifeguard duties.
Before proceeding to her patrol area she was to proceed to Saipan. (3)
11 Aug 1945
Around 0840K/11, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) arrived at Saipan from Midway. She was then taken in hand for voyage repairs by USS Orion (T/Capt. E.R. Hannon, USN). (3)
13 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630K/13, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) and USS Tirante (T/Cdr. G.L. Street, 3rd, USN) departed Saipan in company for their lifeguard stations.
They were escorted until 1900K/13 by USS LCI(L)-1054 (Lt.(jg) W.H. Spicer, USNR). (4)
15 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0645K/15, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) and USS Tirante (T/Cdr. G.L. Street, 3rd, USN) parted company with each other. (3)
3 Sep 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600I/3, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) left her lifeguard station for Guam. (3)
7 Sep 1945
Around 0945I/7, USS Tilefish (T/Cdr. W.F. Schlech, Jr., USN) ended her sixth war patrol at Guam.
She, and USS Sea Cat (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bowers, USN), were escored in by USS Crouter (Lt. C.F. Braught, USNR) which had joined the submarines around 0600I/7.
The submarines were then taken in hand for voyage repairs by USS Sperry (T/Capt. R.J. Ramsbotham, USN). (3)
Sources
- USS Tilefish report of fifth war patrol
- USS Tilefish report of fifth war patrol + Imperial Japanese Navy website
- USS Tilefish report of sixth war patrol
- USS Tilefish report of sixth war patrol + USS Tirante report of third war patrol
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