Warrant Officers on US Submarines WW II

Bubblehead1980 · 03-20-22, 12:16 PM

As is my habit, when assigned a boat for new career, I look into that boats history, read the patrol reports, etc.

Testing out changes to new construction (and hope to try and survive the war) in the Balao USS Cisco SS 290. Cisco was lost on her first patrol in September 1943 in the Sulu Sea to combined aircraft and surface attack by ASW vessels( One a Gunboat, former USS Luzon, captured in 1942). CISCO was likely victim of rushed construction and suffered pers oil leaks during her . Cisco's Captain was Commander James W. Coe, one of the few successful early war skippers, having commanded S-39 at start of the war and then Skipjack (from which he dispatched the famous Toiler Paper memo) Coe's daughter, who was born until after his death, wrote a book called "Full Fathom Five", about Coe Cisco, its construction, short career, and loss, as well as her childhood as a war orphan and how things changed her mothers life. Great book, worth a read.

While looking over the crew roster, I noticed not that many chiefs on board compared to other boats. The XO was also a full commander, as was the CO, and a LTCDR, two LT's, one LT JG, and one Ensign comprised the offiers.

There was also one listed as a Warrant Officer (Torpedoman) . I was not aware of Warrant Officers serving on US submarines during the war. Of all the patrol reports, crew rosters, I do not recall seeing a Warrant Officer aboard.

I've always found the Warrant Officer somewhat confusing. I understand its a former enlisted man who specializes in one field such as this case, torpedoes, but how the fit into chain of command. Are they on the level of a Ensign or? Are they part of the wardroom or consider enlisted? Where would they fit into things on a WW II era sub?

03-20-22, 12:16 PM	#1
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,104 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	Warrant Officers on US Submarines WW II As is my habit, when assigned a boat for new career, I look into that boats history, read the patrol reports, etc. Testing out changes to new construction (and hope to try and survive the war) in the Balao USS Cisco SS 290. Cisco was lost on her first patrol in September 1943 in the Sulu Sea to combined aircraft and surface attack by ASW vessels( One a Gunboat, former USS Luzon, captured in 1942). CISCO was likely victim of rushed construction and suffered pers oil leaks during her . Cisco's Captain was Commander James W. Coe, one of the few successful early war skippers, having commanded S-39 at start of the war and then Skipjack (from which he dispatched the famous Toiler Paper memo) Coe's daughter, who was born until after his death, wrote a book called "Full Fathom Five", about Coe Cisco, its construction, short career, and loss, as well as her childhood as a war orphan and how things changed her mothers life. Great book, worth a read. While looking over the crew roster, I noticed not that many chiefs on board compared to other boats. The XO was also a full commander, as was the CO, and a LTCDR, two LT's, one LT JG, and one Ensign comprised the offiers. There was also one listed as a Warrant Officer (Torpedoman) . I was not aware of Warrant Officers serving on US submarines during the war. Of all the patrol reports, crew rosters, I do not recall seeing a Warrant Officer aboard. I've always found the Warrant Officer somewhat confusing. I understand its a former enlisted man who specializes in one field such as this case, torpedoes, but how the fit into chain of command. Are they on the level of a Ensign or? Are they part of the wardroom or consider enlisted? Where would they fit into things on a WW II era sub?