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The Silent Service was a documentary style anthology series about the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet and their missions during World War II and the Korean War created by Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers, who retired from the Navy in the late 1940s. Every episode was based on real historical events, with the realism of the show reinforced by the use of actual combat footage from the archives of the United States Navy. This particular episode titled “The Sunfish’s Cook” is episode 25 from season 2 of the show, which aired Friday, August 22nd, 1958. This is one of two episodes that profiles the USS Sunfish.
Directed by Sobey Martin and written by Sidney Morse, “The Sunfish’s Cook” features a cast of actors which includes Arthur Franz, Christopher Dark, Anthony Eisley, James Dobson, Ray Kellogg, and Barry Cahill. Together, this crew of actors bring to life the story of a Gato-class submarine, the USS Sunfish (SS-281), as the ship’s cook and later decorated member of the submarine force, Teddy Aldridge, seeks to engage in active combat during the ship’s next encounter with the enemy. Aldridge is subsequently assigned a Browning automatic rifle (BAR) for use during surface action.
Following an introduction by Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers (0:38), the episode opens to footage of the USS Sunfish 250 ft. below the surface on 10 July 1944 on its 7th war patrol in the Sea of Okhotsk; Cmdr. Edward E. Shelby, crew finally catching much needed rest after a busy patrol (1:06). Introduction to protagonist and cook Teddy Aldridge, conversation with fellow drew member Dickson (2:05). Aldridge tries to get on commander Shelby and Lt. Paul Mansell’s good side by bringing them coffee, cinnamon buns in the control room; Shelby and Mansell discuss what combat role to give Aldridge (3:33). Crew come onto deck despite cold, harsh waters to convert a ballast tank while submarine surfaced (5:49). Aldridge eager to “get to know” his newly assigned BAR but Dickson doesn’t let him get near the equipment (6:57). Alarm sounds urging crew to battle stations just as Aldridge is about to place a tray in oven, but quickly rushes off to get ready for combat as the USS Sunfish approaches an unsuspecting target (8:56). Torpedoes fired at target, contact made and ship explodes; Aldridge complains that he did not get to fire a single shot (10:42). Shelby, Mansell and other commanding officers eat dinner together (11:34). Aldridge back to cook duties in the kitchen, sneaks off to rifle storage case while officers are sleeping but is caught by Dickson (11:54). Slow days on board USS Sunfish, six contacts made, but all determined to be allies (14:02). Dickson notices that one of the BARs is missing from store cabinet, confronts Aldridge in the kitchen; Aldridge hesitantly gives back BAR to Dickson (14:50). USS Sunfish finally makes contact with ship on radar, crew called to battle stations (16:42). Crew prepare deck guns, fire exchanged with ships quickly approaching the USS Sunfish; Intense battle for 2 hours against 14 ships (19:58). Aldridge finally gets to use BAR and is credited with saving ship and crew, adding coverage for most vulnerable crew members operating what appears to be Browning-M2 50 caliber machine guns (21:36). Aldridge and Dickson debrief on battle (23:18). Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers closing words and interview with cook Teddy Aldridge (24:00).
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com/
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