Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadowWolf Kell
That's a great way to describe it. Especially since Wahoo later ended up becoming infamous within the US Submarine Force that many looked up to.
Morton blended a lot of abilities together that really fit the nature of the Pacific war, most notably his aggressiveness. That's a pivotal point compared to the old guard and is really the deciding factor of what shaped the Submarine force into what it eventually became.
Ironically, Morton's own XO was relieved of command for some of the same reasons mentioned, and was replaced with Dick O'Kane who was even more aggressive than Morton was.
Carriers suffered a similar situation prior to the war, even after demonstrating that a single carrier could recon and effectively destroy an entire BB task force. That was even despite the early limitations of carrier aircraft.
Nimitz taking command of the Pacific, and specific key events really helped brush aside many old ways of thinking. It just took awhile. Midway was the turning point in a great many ways.
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As I recall Morton came on the Wahoo when O'Kane was already XO to do his PCO under the skipper of the Wahoo. I can't remember his name, but O'Kane thought him cautious on the patrol before Mush arrived. That patrol the Skipper actually sunk a jap sub and a few others, but it took a severe emotional toll on him. He still let some ships pass. O'Kane almost pushed his luck too much with this skipper and Mush had to keep him calm. The skipper on the way back talked to O'Kane and told him it was his last patrol, that he didn't have it in him and Mush took over the Wahoo with O'Kane as his XO.