USS Bonefish (SS-223)

The USS Bonefish (SS-223) was a Gato-class World War II era submarine.

The namesake of the USS Bonefish is a fish of the Florida Keys and southern California.  The bonefish has bright silvery sides with faint dark stripes and often reaches a weight of about fifteen pounds.  It feeds on bottom matter in shallow waters.

The radio call sign for the USS Bonefish was: NAN-BAKER-KING-FOX.

On May 28, 1945, the USS Bonefish, captained by Commander Lawrence L. Edge, departed the submarine base at Guam on her eighth and final war patrol in company with two other submarines also assigned to the Operation Barney task group Pierce's Polecats: USS Tunny (SS-282) and USS Skate (SS-305).  The group was part of the American wolf pack Hydeman's Hellcats, which consisted of nine boats divided into groups of three.  The other two groups were set up as follows:

1. Hydeman's Hepcats: USS Sea Dog (SS-401), USS Spadefish (SS-411), and USS Crevalle (SS-291).

2. Bob's Bobcats: USS Flying Fish (SS-229), USS Bowfin (SS-287), and USS Tinosa (SS-283). 1

Lawrence Lott Edge was born on November 15, 1912, at Columbus, Georgia.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1935 and then served for two-and-a-half years aboard the battleship USS Maryland (BB-46).  He applied and was selected for submarine duty and reported to the submarine school at New London, Connecticut in January 1938.  Following his graduation from the school in June 1938, he and Sarah Simms married in Atlanta, Georgia.  A month later, Lawrence reported to the submarine base at Pearl Harbor as a lieutenant junior grade to begin his career as a submariner aboard the USS Narwhal (SS-167).  In December 1940, Edge reported to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for duty aboard the USS O-4 (SS-65), a World War I era boat undergoing refit for service as a training vessel at the submarine school.  In July 1941, Edge reported to the Naval Academy to begin a two-year postgraduate course of study in radio engineering.  This program tied communications with the increasing amount of electrical gear and other technologies with which submarines were being equipped.  As part of his studies, Lawrence and Sarah lived at temporary duty stations up and down the east coast where he studied the practical side of electronics and other technologies at the private companies responsible for developing them.  On May 1, 1943, Edge was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander.  In July 1943, he was ordered to report to New London to attend the Prospective Submarine Commanding Officer (PCO) School.  He completed the PCO School in late September 1943 and then received orders to report to the headquarters of ComSubSoWesPac in Fremantle, Australia.  He arrived there in late November 1943 and reported for duty to Submarine Squadron Sixteen.  After completing a two-month course of training in submarine operations, in late January 1944 he received orders to serve as the executive officer aboard the USS Bluefish (SS-222).  After serving as the Bluefish's executive officer for two war patrols under two skippers, on June 13, 1944, Rear Admiral Ralph W. Christie selected Lieutenant Commander Edge to succeed Commander Thomas W. Hogan as the commanding officer of the USS Bonefish (SS-223). 2  Edge would serve as the captain of the Bonefish on her fifth through eighth war patrols.  Under his captaincy, according to the JANAC scoring, he was responsible for sinking five enemy vessels totaling 27,016 tons.  The Alden-McDonald scoring indicates he sank eleven enemy vessels totaling 29,567 tons and seriously damaged the 17,000-ton enemy oil tanker Kamoi Maru.  Based on data collected by the Submarine Operations Research Group (SORG) appearing in a report generated by ComSubPac, during his tenure as captain of the USS Bonefish, Commander Edge sank seven enemy vessels totaling 48,800 tons and damaged three others totaling 15,500 tons.  Overall, the SORG score for the Bonefish is twenty-two vessels sunk for 154,300 tons and seven vessels damaged for 42,200 tons.  Her JANAC score is twelve vessels sunk for 61,345 tons.  Her Alden-McDonald score is fifteen vessels sunk for 64,047 tons and six vessels damaged for 45,266 tons. 3

As he steered the Bonefish out to the open sea from Apra Harbor at Guam on their final patrol, Commander Edge was likely thinking about the instructions in his official operation order.  The submarines would enter the Sea of Japan submerged via the Tsushima Strait.  They would gain propulsion from the swift flowing Kuroshio Current, which began in the East China Sea, swept through the Tsushima Strait and the Sea of Japan, and pushed through La Perouse Strait into the Sea of Okhotsk.  When their mission was completed, they would exit via the La Perouse Strait, again taking advantage of the powerful Kuroshio Current.  The most dangerous part of this mission was making safe passage through the enemy minefields sewn in the Tsushima Strait.  All the boats had been fitted with the new mine-detecting FM sonar and their captains and key crew members had received extensive training in its use.  Once they had made the passage and were at their assigned stations in the Sea of Japan, working in groups of three, the submarines were scheduled to begin their attacks at sunset on June 9th.  Their orders from Vice Admiral Lockwood were very specific.  They were to sink any type of Japanese shipping they encountered.

All the submarines in the wolf pack made the passage safely and began hunting for enemy shipping on schedule.  Commander Edge was credited with sinking the 6892-ton cargo vessel Ojikasan Maru on June 13, 1945.  On June 16, 1945, he kept a rendezvous with his group leader, Commander George E. Pierce, captain of the USS Tunny (SS-282), and informed him of this sinking.  He also asked for and received permission from Pierce to conduct a submerged daylight patrol in Toyoma Wan, a large and 600-fathom deep bay in the mid-part of western Honshu.  Having received permission, the pair parted ways.  Edge's request to enter Toyoma Wan was merely a matter of form, to let his group leader know where he was going, for the area requested was within his own assigned station. 4

The wolf pack was scheduled to depart the Sea of Japan via La Perouse Strait on the night of June 24, 1945.  However, the Bonefish did not make the scheduled pre-transit rendezvous.  The Tunny waited in vain off Hokkaido until the 27th.  The operation order for the wolf pack had made provision for the submarines to proceed to Russian waters if necessary to claim a twenty-four hour haven, or to submit to internment in extreme need, or to exit from the Sea of Japan prior to or after June 24th.  When all of these factors proved to be irrelevant, on July 30, 1945, the Bonefish was posted as presumed lost. 5

Japanese records reviewed after the war revealed that the 5,488-ton cargo ship Konzan Maru was torpedoed and sunk in Toyama Wan on June 19, 1945, and that an ensuing severe counterattack by Japanese escorts brought debris and a major oil slick to the water's surface.  The Bonefish was sunk in this action.  She went down fighting with all hands. 6

Records for IJN escort vessel CD-63 provide the following corroborative information:

19 June 1945:
Nanao Bay.  At 0615, BONEFISH torpedoes KONZAN MARU at 37-13N, 137-18E.  The 31st Escort Division is alerted immediately and CD-63, OKINAWA (F) and CD-207 arrive at the scene of sinking.  OKINAWA makes sonar contact with a submerged submarine and drops a series of depth charges set to a depth of 295 to 390 feet.  Next, CD-63 and CD-207 attack.  CD-158 is also dispatched to the same location.  After another attack, the sonar contact is lost.  Pieces of cork and oil are sighted at 37-18N, 137-55E.  USS BONEFISH is lost with all 85 hands. 7

The pin labeled "A" in the chart below marks the geographic coordinates 37°-18'N, 137°-55'E, the final resting place of the Bonefish and her crew.

In his book Hellcats: The Epic Story of World War II's Most Daring Submarine Raid, Peter Sasgen visualizes the final moments of the USS Bonefish.

Patrolling submerged in Toyama Wan, Edge encountered three patrol boats.  He attacked, but the torpedoes missed.  Alerted, the patrol boats counterattacked in force.  There wasn't time to fire another torpedo salvo - the enemy's ping, ping, pinging sonars had the Bonefish trapped in a vise.  Get her down fast - four hundred feet!  Rig for depth charge and silent running!  Here they come!  Three sets of angry, thrashing screws swept over the descending submarine.  Depth charges rained down.

Whether by luck or fate, a hull-smashing explosion closer and more powerful than any the submariners had ever experienced caused mortal damage.  In the split second it took the doomed men to grasp what had happened, the sea burst into the Bonefish like a snarling, killing beast.  Sound the collision alarm!  Blow safety!  Blow bow buoyancy!  BLOW EVERYTHING!  In the confusion of anger and fear, frantic efforts to avoid disaster failed.  Flooded and out of control, the Bonefish upended.  Men, tools, anything not tied down crashed into the now horizontal bulkheads at the bottom of compartments.  Depth-gauge needles wound violently to their stops.  The water under the sub's keel was so deep that it was beyond comprehension.  Down, down she plunged until, at the limit of their endurance, her stout frames and hull, moaning and shrieking in protest, gave way to the merciless sea.  Trailing skeins of air bubbles and oil, the gallant Bonefish with her gallant captain and crew dived into eternity. 8

According to Vice Admiral Lockwood, if Commander Edge had lived to complete his last patrol he would have been shifted to the Submarine Training Command for duty in charge of training new submariners in the use of the latest electrical equipment. 9

The Bonefish earned Navy Unit Commendations for her first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth war patrols, and seven battle stars for her World War II service.

A list of the personnel lost with the Bonefish is maintained at http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss-bonefish-223.htm.

Patrol Data and Captains for the USS Bonefish (SS-223)

Patrol No.	Patrol Area	Patrol Duration DD-MM-YY	Captain's Rank & Name	Sailed From
1	South China Sea	16-Sep-43 to 21-Oct-43	CDR Thomas W. Hogan	Darwin
2	Borneo- Celebes area	22-Nov-43 to 19-Dec-43	Same	Fremantle
3	South China Sea & Makassar Strait	12-Jan-44 to 15-Mar-44	Same	Fremantle
4	Celebes & Sulu Sea	15-Apr-44 to 30-May-44	Same	Fremantle
5	Celebes & Sulu Sea	25-Jun-44 to 13-Aug-44	LCDR Lawrence L. Edge	Fremantle
6	Sibuyan Sea & South China Sea	05-Sep-44 to 08-Nov-44	CDR Lawrence L. Edge	Fremantle ⇒ Pearl 10
7	East China Sea & Tsushima Strait	06-Apr-45 to 07-May-45	Same	Pearl Harbor
8	Sea of Japan	28-May-45 to 19-Jun-45 (Lost)	Same	Guam

JANAC Score for the USS Bonefish (SS-223)

Patrol No.	Date DD-MM-YY	Vessel Name	Vessel Type	Tonnage Sunk	Location Sunk
1	27-Sep-43	Kashima Maru	Transport	9,908	10-14N, 109-45E
1	10-Oct-43	Teibi Maru	Transport	10,086	14-44N, 110-19E
1	10-Oct-43	Isuzugawa	Cargo	4,212	14-44N, 110-19E
2	29-Nov-43	Suez Maru	Cargo	4,646	6-22S, 116-35E
2	01-Dec-43	Nichiryo Maru	Passenger- Cargo	2,721	1-31N, 120-51E
4	26-Apr-44	Tokiwa Maru	Passenger- Cargo	806	6-12N, 125-47E
4	14-May-44	Inazuma	Destroyer	1,950	5-08N, 119-38E
5	30-Jul-44	Kokuyo Maru	Tanker	10,026	6-03N, 119-54E
6	28-Sep-44	Anjo Maru	Tanker	2,068	13-16N, 120-08E
6	14-Oct-44	Fushimi Maru	Cargo	2,542	16-12N, 119-45E
8	13-Jun-45	Oshikayama Maru	Cargo	6,892	38-30N, 136-58E
8	19-Jun-45	Konzan Maru	Passenger- Cargo	5,488	37-13N, 137-18E
TOTALS			12 vessels	61,345 tons

Alden-McDonald Score for the USS Bonefish (SS-223)

Patrol No.	Date DD-MM-YY	Vessel Name	Vessel Type	Tonnage Sunk	Tonnage Damaged
1	27-Sep-43	Kashima Maru	Passenger- Cargo	9,908
1	10-Oct-43	Isuzugawa Maru	Cargo	4,214
1	10-Oct-43	Teibi Maru	Transport	10,086
1	14-Oct-43	Unknown	Schooner  3		10
2	29-Nov-43	Suez Maru	Cargo	4,645
2	01-Dec-43	Nichiryo Maru	Cargo	2,721
2	11-Dec-43	Toyohime Maru	Cargo		123
3	22-Jan-44	Unknown	Schooner  3		60
3	09-Feb-44	Tonan Maru #2	Cargo		19,262
4	26-Apr-44	Tokiwa Maru	Cargo	806
4	07-May-44	Aobasan Maru	Cargo  3		8,811
4	14-May-44	Inazuma	Destroyer	2,000
5	05-Jul-44	Ryuetsu Maru	Lugger	174
5	07-Jul-44	Ryuei Maru	Lugger	207
5	08-Jul-44	Moji Maru	Picket Boat	50
5	10-Jul-44	Unknown	Sampan  3	50
5	16-Jul-44	Tatsu Maru #3	Lugger	48
5	18-Jul-44	Shinto Maru	Cargo  3	2,000
5	30-Jul-44	Kokuyo Maru	Tanker	10,026
6	27-Sep-44	Kamoi Maru	Tanker		17,000
6	28-Sep-44	Anjo Maru	Tanker	2,086
6	14-Oct-44	Fushimi Maru	Cargo	2,546
8	13-Jun-45	Ojikasan Maru	Cargo	6,892
8	19-Jun-45	Konzan Maru	Cargo	5,488
	TOTALS	15 vessels sunk 6 vessels damaged	3 = Probable	Tons sunk 64,047	Tons damaged 45,266

SORG Score for the USS Bonefish (SS-223) Under Commander Lawrence L. Edge

SORG totals for Commander Lawrence L. Edge
7 vessels sunk for 48,800 tons
3 vessels damaged for 15,500 tons

SORG Score for the USS Bonefish (SS-223) Under Commander Thomas W. Hogan, Jr.

SORG totals for Commander Thomas W. Hogan, Jr.
15 vessels sunk for 105,500 tons
4 vessels damaged for 26,500 tons

SORG Score for the USS Bonefish (SS-223)

SORG totals for the USS Bonefish (SS-223)
22 vessels sunk for 154,300 tons
7 vessels damaged for 42,200 tons

Photographs for the USS Bonefish (SS-223) & the USS Bonefish (SS-582)

The photographs and citations appearing below were provided to me by Lawrence L. Edge, Jr. and Sarah E. Shuler, Commander Lawrence Lott Edge's children.  I extend my sincere thanks to the Shuler and Edge families for allowing me to post these items on this Web page.

	Commander Lawrence L. Edge, Commanding Officer of the USS Bonefish (SS-223) since June 13, 1944.  He continues as her captain today on Eternal Patrol with the Bonefish's valiant crew.
	Official BuPers form documenting Lieutenant Commander Lawrence L. Edge's promotion to Commander, effective October 27, 1944.
	Medals awarded to Commander Lawrence L. Edge.  Left to right, top to bottom: World War II Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, three Navy Crosses, Bronze Star, American Defense Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.  See below for the written commendations for each of the Navy Crosses awarded to Commander Edge.  Commander Edge was posthumously awarded two Gold Stars in lieu of second and third Navy Cross medals for the seventh and eighth war patrols of the USS Bonefish (SS-223).  The two Gold Stars adorn the ribbon of his first Navy Cross medal.
	The crew aboard the USS Bonefish (SS-223).  Commander Edge is kneeling in the middle of the front row.
	Western Union telegram, dated 28 July 1945, received by Mrs. Sarah Simms Edge, notifying her that Commander Lawrence Lott Edge was "...missing in action in the service of his country."
	The second USS Bonefish (SS-582) was launched on 22 November 1958 sponsored by Mrs. Lawrence L. Edge, widow of Commander Lawrence Edge, captain of the first Bonefish.
	Cover of the program for the launching of the USS Bonefish (SS-582).
	Second page of the program for the launching of the USS Bonefish (SS-582).
	Third page of the program for the launching of the USS Bonefish (SS-582).
	Fourth page of the program for the launching of the USS Bonefish (SS-582).
	Mrs. Lawrence L. Edge at the launching ceremony with her children, Lawrence Lott Edge, Jr. and Sarah Simms Edge.
	Mrs. Lawrence L. Edge officially christening the USS Bonefish (SS-582).
	The USS Bonefish (SS-582) moving down the launch way.
	The USS Bonefish (SS-582) with a harbor tugboat.

Citations for Navy Crosses Awarded to Commander Lawrence Lott Edge

Navy Cross Citation for the Sixth War Patrol of the USS Bonefish (SS-223)

Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Lawrence Lott Edge (NSN: 0-74855), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BONEFISH (SS-223), during the SIXTH War Patrol of that vessel in Japanese controlled waters of the Pacific, from 5 September to 8 November 1944.  Despite intense enemy air and surface opposition, Commander Edge skillfully maneuvered his ship into a favorable position to launch four well-placed and brilliantly executed torpedo attacks and sink three enemy ships totaling 22,000 tons and damaged two additional vessels totaling 8,900 tons.  In addition, he effectively conducted the rescue of two downed friendly aviators.  A bold tactician, Commander Edge expertly avoided enemy countermeasures and brought his ship safely to port.  His inspiring leadership and devotion to duty in the fulfillment of this hazardous patrol reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 01155 (February 9, 1945)

Action Date: September 5 - November 8, 1944

Service: Navy

Rank: Commander

Company: Commanding Officer

Division: U.S.S. Bonefish (SS-223)

Navy Cross Citation for the Seventh War Patrol of the USS Bonefish (SS-223)

Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Lawrence Lott Edge (NSN: 0-74855), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BONEFISH (SS-223), during the SEVENTH War Patrol of that vessel in the East China Sea Area from 6 April to 7 May 1945.  Despite the constant danger of navigating in shoal waters and the possibility of aerial bombings and detection by shore-based enemy radar and patrol vessels, Commander Edge daringly penetrated enemy minefields and successfully performed a special mission in this area.  In addition, he captured two enemy aviators while performing lifeguard duties and skillfully evaded severe enemy anti-submarine measures to bring his ship safe to port.  His conduct throughout the entire mission was an inspiration to his officers and men and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 031326 (July 23, 1945)

Action Date: April 6 - May 7, 1945

Service: Navy

Rank: Commander

Company: Commanding Officer

Division: U.S.S. Bonefish (SS-223)

Navy Cross Citation for the Eighth War Patrol of the USS Bonefish (SS-223)

Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Lawrence Lott Edge (NSN: 0-74855), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BONEFISH (SS-223), during the EIGHTH War Patrol of that vessel in the Japanese Sea off the west coast of Honshu, Japan.  Fully aware of the extreme dangers involved, Commander Edge left port in his veteran submarine on 28 May 1945, to conduct one of the First War Patrols to be made in this area.  Boldly penetrating strong anti-submarine barriers, he entered the supposedly inviolable waters of the Japan Sea and, with superb skill and daring, maneuvered the Bonefish into shallow, confined waters to launch his devastating torpedo attacks against enemy targets vital to the Japanese war effort.  Striking with devastating speed and precision, Commander Edge succeeded in sending two valuable ships to the bottom despite strong hostile countermeasures.  While continuing this smashing offensive, overwhelming counterattacks were encountered which caused the loss of this outstanding submarine and her gallant commanding officer.  A forceful and inspiring leader, Commander Edge, by his brilliant seamanship, initiative and indomitable perseverance, maintained in the face of tremendous odds, contributed essentially to the infliction of extensive damage and destruction on the enemy during this urgent mission and to the success of our sustained drive to force the capitulation of the Japanese Empire.  His courage and resolute devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself, his intrepid command and the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Authority: Board of Awards, Submarines Pacific: Serial 0508 (September 13, 1945)

Action Date: May 28 - June 19, 1945

Service: Navy

Rank: Commander

Company: Commanding Officer

Division: U.S.S. Bonefish (SS-223)

Updated Saturday, 04-Feb-2012 15:37:35 EST

1.  Roscoe, Theodore, United States Submarine Operations in World War II, p. 480.

2.  Sasgen, Peter T., Hellcats: The Epic Story of World War II's Most Daring Submarine Raid, p. 48-56.

3.  Alden, John D., and Craig R. McDonald, United States and Allied Submarine Successes in the Pacific and Far East During World War II, Fourth Edition, see USS Bonefish (SS-223), Attack Nos. 1153, 1160, 1161, 1181, 1182, 1195, 1196, 1209, 1374, 1383, 1384, 1398, 1532, 1601, 1602, 1608, 1863, 1864, 1874, 1932, 1959, 1960, 2210, 2225, 2248, 2259, 2277, 2304, 2357, 2386, 2496, 2709, 2717, 2797, 2798, 2830, 4098, 4099, and 4157; Submarine war patrol reports on CD, "Results of U. S. Submarine War Patrols Listed Alphabetically by Name of Commanding Officer."; Japanese Naval And Merchant Shipping Losses During World War II By All Causes, Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee, USS Bonefish (SS-223), published online at http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Japan/IJN/JANAC-Losses/JANAC-Losses-6.html#bonefish (accessed September 29, 2011).

4.  Lockwood, Charles A.  Sink 'Em All: Submarine Warfare in the Pacific, p. 311.

5.  United States Submarine Losses World War II, p. 151.

6.  Ibid.

7.  Hackett, Bob and Sander Kingsepp, "IJN Escort CD-63: Tabular Record of Movement," published online at http://www.combinedfleet.com/CD-63_t.htm (accessed on May 14, 2011).

8.  Sasgen, Peter T., op. cit., p. 265.

9.  Lockwood, Charles A., op. cit., p. 312.

10.  The Bonefish's sixth war patrol was made incident to her transfer from ComSubSoWesPac to ComSubPac.  Lawrence L. Edge was promoted to Commander effective October 27, 1944.