Action of 5 July 1942

Part of the American theater and the Pacific theater of World War II

USS Growler

Date	5 July 1942
Location	off Kiska, Aleutian Islands, Pacific Ocean Coordinates: 52°00′N 177°40′E / 52°N 177.66°E / 52; 177.66
Result	United States victory

Belligerents

United States

Empire of Japan

Commanders and leaders

Howard Gilmore

unknown

Strength

1 submarine

3 destroyers

Casualties and losses

none

~200 killed or wounded
1 destroyer sunk
2 destroyers damaged

The Action of 5 July 1942 was a naval engagement fought during the Aleutian Islands Campaign of World War II. During the action, the American submarine USS Growler attacked three Japanese warships anchored off Kiska island. It was the first action of Growler's career and ended with the loss of dozens of Japanese sailors.

Over the course of the Pacific War, Growler—under various commanders—sank 17 enemy vessels, including many armed ships. She was a Gato-class submarine and had a complement of 60 officers and men. Her armament included ten 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes and one 3 in (76 mm)/50-caliber deck gun. On her first patrol from Pearl Harbor to Alaska, she was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Howard Gilmore. Japanese forces included the 2,490 long tons (2,530 t) Kagerō-class destroyer Shiranui with 240 crewmen and six 5 in (127 mm) guns, several anti-aircraft guns, eight large torpedo tubes and 36 depth charges. There were also the two 2,370 long tons (2,410 t) Asashio-class destroyers Arare and Kasumi, each with about 200 men and mounting the same armament as Shiranui. The three vessels were assigned to the occupation of Kiska and had participated in the Battle of Pearl Harbor.

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