Calm Under Pressure: Lt. Oliver Naquin’s Leadership Aboard Doomed USS Squalus

In 1939, the USS Squalus sank off New Hampshire, trapping 33 sailors. Commander Lt. Oliver Naquin’s calm leadership helped save his crew in the Navy’s first successful submarine rescue.

At a staggering 240 feet below the Atlantic Ocean's surface, Lt. Oliver Naquin faced an unimaginable challenge, unable to assure his sailors of their return to daylight. 

As the commander of the USS Squalus, one of the Navy’s most advanced submarines of its time, Naquin’s unwavering leadership emerged as a crucial support during a time of crisis.

On May 23, 1939, the Squalus, while conducting a routine test dive off the coast of New Hampshire, experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure that resulted in the flooding of its aft compartments. In a tragic incident, twenty-six men lost their lives instantly, while 33 others survived in the forward compartments.

Within the frigid, shadowy depths of the damaged submarine, Naquin guided his crew with unwavering composure. He commanded that blankets be handed out to the trembling survivors, urging them to minimize movement to preserve the vital air they had left. With a decisive order, a distress rocket and telephone buoy were sent soaring toward the surface, fragile threads of hope that he believed could draw the attention of rescuers.

The hours stretched on, each moment a trial that pushed every sailor's determination to its limits. “What kept flashing through my mind was the fact my mother had taken out an insurance policy on me,” recalled Danny Persico, one of the trapped submariners, in a 1988 U.S. Naval Institute article. “A particular clause stated that it would become null and void in the event of my death due to a submarine or diving accident.”

Naquin’s steady demeanor ensured that the crew remained composed, avoiding any sense of panic. Unbeknownst to the individuals beneath the surface, their distress signal had been picked up, initiating a series of events that would lead to the inaugural successful deep-sea submarine rescue in the annals of naval history. 

Navy divers executed a series of daring dives to transport the 33 trapped men to safety, utilizing the newly developed McCann Rescue Chamber in their heroic efforts.

The dramatic rescue of the USS Squalus crew stands as a pivotal moment in the history of submarine safety, showcasing the remarkable strength of leadership in the face of adversity. Naquin’s remarkable actions that day led to him being awarded the Navy Cross, while the survival of his men underscored the importance of maintaining composure and exercising quick thinking in the most perilous situations.

Today, the Squalus tragedy stands as a poignant reminder, not just of the profound loss it incurred but also of the remarkable lives preserved through ingenuity, collaboration, and the unwavering resolve of a leader who would not yield to hopelessness.

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