A Tale of Two Subs unfolds the dramatic World War II story of USS Sculpin and its sister ship USS Sailfish. When Sculpin was fatally attacked in November 1943, a handful of crew members survived—an extraordinary feat in submarine warfare.
One of those survivors, Lt. Commander John Phillip Cromwell, carried vital intelligence about Allied code-breaking that, if exposed, could have jeopardized the war effort. His moral resolve led to a fateful decision that would earn him the Medal of Honor.
Meanwhile, Sailfish unknowingly sank the Japanese carrier transporting Sculpin’s captured crew, creating a remarkable twist of fate. Through oral histories, Japanese war documents, and firsthand interviews, the intertwined journeys of these two subs are revealed in gripping detail.
Jonathan McCullough’s account balances strategic insights with intimate human drama, offering a richly researched look at courage beneath the waves and the secrets that shaped the Pacific theater.
- Rare firsthand survivor testimonies
- Insights into WWII code-breaking efforts
- Detailed naval operations of Sculpin and Sailfish
- The personal story behind a Medal of Honor
