Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Teresa S. Baker — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:15:39 GMT

Dear Mr. Dotson,

Thank you so much for the program this morning on the USS Grunion. My grandfather, Steven Surfchek, was a cook on that submarmine. My mother was only three when this happened. It has been such a blessing to follow all the events that have surrounded this discovery. Thank YOU for being such a help in getting this news to the families of the men on the Grunion. Your work was well done, and I know that you have blessed the families with the footage you put together.

Thank you again for your part in bringing this to us.
It was tremendous!

Sincerely,

Teresa S. Baker

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Teresa S. Baker 213 Beauregard Avenue Anderson, S.C. — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:00:48 GMT

I would love to get a video or DVD of the article done by Mr. Dotson on the fate of the USS Grunion. My wife's grandfather was the ship's cook!
Thanks \ J. Mark Baker, M.D.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Bryan Woodworth, Overland Park, KS — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:07:48 GMT

I was so moved by this story. It reminded me that so many people have lost loved ones suddenly and mysteriously and spend a lifetime hoping for answers which will bring some closure to the pain. It also reinforces my personal belief and practice of telling my family I love them and sharing a hug and kiss before parting, just in case the worse was to happen. Thank you for sharing this story.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Curtis D. Janey, Pittsfield, MA — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:13:58 GMT

It's truly amazing and a blessing that they found their father who served our country so well. I wish them well now that they can finally say they put their father to rest and so many others who died serving their country. Semper Fidelis, Sgt. USMC

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Howard Campbell, Miami Gardens, Fl — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:31:07 GMT

Love reaches across hurts, time and distance. It never measurs its costs.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Frank Woodruff Monett, MO. — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:32:11 GMT

Howard Hughes had a ship that partially raised a Russian sub. until it broke into. But they did get half of it. Do you plan on doing the same??

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Tammy Hengst, Harrisburg, Pa. — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:35:08 GMT

Wonderful, Wonderful story. We crave these beautiful, touching, real~life stories. Please, Please make a point of doing more of them, they're out there so please report on them. Blessings, Tammy : ~ ) Happy indeed!

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Kevin Akridge — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:36:50 GMT

Wow! God bless and peace be with you and yours.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Geri Sheffey, Greensboro, NC — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:45:26 GMT

Having been a submariner's wife of over 20 years, this story moved me. How special for these sons to finally be able to bring some closure to this very sad event. With the safety of todays subs, we forget sometimes, those who forged the way to make them safer. God Bless.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Chelli Burgess, Wichita Falls, Texas — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:50:26 GMT

Oh my goodness, is what I thought when I read your story. Each day I am amazed by the good people in this world. We hear so much negative media and it sometimes overwhelms me. So thank for what you have accomplished.

Chelli Burgess

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Bill Hunt, Townville, SC — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:51:36 GMT

We missed the showing of the Grunion piece by Mr. Dobson however was able to view it on our computer. We called several relatives that live in the western timezones to remind them that the viewing time had changed. The locating of the Grunion brings closure to so many people including our family who lost John Wesley Nobles on that day. Relatives will gather in October to meet for the first time knowing what happened to John Wesley. We are very grateful.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Mary Polk, Nashville,Tn — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:02:47 GMT

I can't tell you how this story touched my heart. I lost a brother in Vietnam on the Cambodian border and I think my mother died some 30 years later never really getting over the lost of her 19 year old son. I just said to my sister last night that no matter the differences in my family I will be visiting my brothers and other sister, because it is what God requires of me.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Katie Petermeier, Grand Rapids, MN — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:03:12 GMT

Your piece brought tears to my eyes as I watched and thought of my cousin, Howard Sanders, who never got to know his father that was lost on the Grunion. I remember how fondly my mother spoke of her lost brother. Today would have been her birthday and she would have been overjoyed to hear of their findings. Thank you to the Abele family for their diligent work in finding these men.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Scott, Baltimore — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:05:07 GMT

Wow Bob - what an amazing story - this is what journalism and government are supposed to be - something exemplary and uplifting - telling the best about what humanity is and should be. Unfortunately, it seems we now battle a government that has plenty of policy but little common sense, and suffer under a culture of "journalism" and an entertainment industry that is steeped in the basest aspects of the human persona - sex and violence. I grew up watching the Waltons and Andy Griffith. Today we have porn, and murder, and .....at our house, we have no TV, anywhere. I watch my new on the Web. Thanks again for this story.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Sheri Wysong, Delta, UT — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:05:43 GMT

Yes, please make available to family members DVD's of the piece. I, too, am a Grunion family member; my great-uncle, Kenneth Hall, died on the Grunion. As a small child I vividly remember the picture of him in his sailor suit on my great grandmother's display table.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

D.C. al Fine, Boston, MA — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:12:12 GMT

The government spends millions to search for the downed plane of a playboy Kennedy who rashly flew while injured in conditions that challenged his dilettante flying skills. But these sons spend their own resources to find the sub on which their father fought for his country. What is wrong with that picture?

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Opal coleman Washington,Ga — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:21:22 GMT

It warm my heart to read the story on FAMILY love with tears in eyes God Bless

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

William Charpentier, Hubbardston, MA — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:35:53 GMT

Please also remember the other good men who sacrificed their live's.

USS SEALION (SS 195) December 10, 1941
USS S 36 (SS 141) January 20, 1942
USS S 26 (SS 131) January 24, 1942
USS SHARK (SS 174) February 11, 1942
USS PERCH (SS 176) March 3, 1942
USS S 27 (SS 132) June 19, 1942
USS GRUNION (SS 216) July 30, 1942
USS S 39 (SS 144) August 16, 1942

USS ARGONAUT (SS 166) January 10, 1943
USS AMBERJACK (SS 219)February 16, 1943
USS GRAMPUS (SS 207) March 5, 1943
USS TRITON (SS 201) March 15, 1943
USS PICKEREL (SS 177) April 3, 1943
USS GRENADIER (SS 210) April 22, 1943
USS RUNNER (SS 275) May 28, 1943
USS R 12 (SS 89) June 12, 1943
USS POMPANO (SS 181)August 29, 1943
USS GRAYLING (SS 209) September 9, 1943
USS CISCO (SS 290) September 28, 1943
USS S 44 (SS 155) October 7, 1943
USS WAHOO (SS 238) October 11, 1943
USS DORADO (SS 248) October 12, 1943
USS CORVINA (SS 226) November 16, 1943
USS SCULPIN (SS 191) November 19, 1943
USS CAPELIN (SS 289) November 23, 1943

USS SCORPION (SS 278) January 5, 1944
USS GRAYBACK (SS 208) February 26, 1944
USS TROUT (SS 202) February 28, 1944
USS TULLIBEE (SS 284) March 26, 1944
USS HERRING (SS 233) June 1, 1944
USS GUDGEON (SS 211) June 7, 1944
USS GOLET (SS 361) June 14, 1944
USS S 28 (SS 133) July 4, 1944
USS ROBALO (SS 273) July 26, 1944
USS FLIER (SS 250) August 13, 1944
USS HARDER (SS 257) August 24, 1944
USS SEAWOLF (SS 197) October 3, 1944
USS ESCOLAR (SS 294) October 17, 1944
USS DARTER (SS 227) October 24, 1944
USS SHARK II (SS 314) October 24, 1944
USS TANG (SS 306) October 24, 1944
USS ALBACORE (SS 218) November 7, 1944
USS GROWLER (SS 215) November 8, 1944
USS SCAMP (SS 277) November 9, 1944

USS SWORDFISH (SS 193) January 12, 1945
USS BARBEL (SS 316) February 4, 1945
USS KETE (SS 369) March 20, 1945
USS TRIGGER (SS 237) March 26, 1945
USS SNOOK (SS 279) April 8, 1945
USS LAGARTO (SS 371) May 3, 1945
USS BONEFISH (SS 223) June 18, 1945
USS BULLHEAD (SS 332) August 6,1945

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

John Pride, Raleigh, NC — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:40:44 GMT

As a submarine veteran, I am glad that these brave men on eternal patrol can finally rest their oars. My only other thought would be that the boat should be left where she lies. These boats become our homes, and one of the saddest times in my life was when I decomissioned my boat and had to watch them cut up my home for four years. I still miss her, and I guess I always will. Those men onboard the Grunion can't be brought home; they are home.

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Scott, Caledonia WI — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:44:34 GMT

It's wonderful that these men were able to perform such a feat and persevered in order to find their father and closure.

That was still possible because of the way War was waged then.

We have to steel ourselves to the fact that in this day and age, where 9/11 left only pieces -- and sometimes not -- of our loved ones that finding such closure will become less and less poossible because our wars, weapons, and tactics have become more and more inhumane.

What have we humans become?

Mystery solved: A family’s search for a missing World War II Submarine

Travis, Boise, ID — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:46:16 GMT

Thank you for doing this story. I work at a VA hospital and have printed this out for all the veterans to see - it is another WWII mystery solved for them.