Charles E. Loughlin
| Charles Elliott Loughlin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | Elliott |
| Born |
February 19, 1910 Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Died | October 31, 1989 (aged 79) |
| Place of burial | United States Naval Academy Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1933–1968 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held |
USS S-14 (SS-119) USS Queenfish (SS-393) USS Mississinewa (AO-144) USS Toledo (CA-133) Submarine Flotilla Six Naval District Washington |
| Battles/wars | U.S. submarine campaign against the Japanese Empire |
| Awards |
 Navy Cross (2 ) Legion of Merit (2) Silver Star Presidential Unit Citation
|
Charles Elliott Loughlin (February 19, 1910 – October 31, 1989) was an officer of the United States Navy, where he reached the rank of Rear Admiral. He is best known for his court-martial following the controversial sinking of the Japanese hospital ship Awa Maru. He was the commanding officer of the USS Queenfish (SS-393) during four war patrols. Loughlin earned two Navy Crosses, two Legions of Merit and one Silver Star during his time in the United States Navy.
While at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Loughlin played on the Midshipmen men's tennis and basketball teams and was named a consensus First Team All-American for basketball in 1932–33. Loughlin graduated from the Academy in 1933 and served in the battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40), part of the time as an assistant to Lieutenant Hyman G. Rickover. Following this, he went to submarine school and served in various submarines before taking command of the USS S-14 (SS-119) in the Panama area. Aboard S-14, Loughlin made four unremarkable Atlantic patrols.
As member of a three-submarine wolfpack, Queenfish sank the 4,700-ton tanker Chiyoda Maru on 31 August 1944; and the 7,097-ton passenger-cargo ship Toyooka Maru and 3,054-ton transport Manshu Maru on 9 September 1944. On 18 September, Queenfish rescued 18 British and Australian prisoners of war adrift and afloat since their Japanese transport was sunk beneath them 12 September.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Charles Elliott Loughlin (NSN: 0-72307/1100), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. QUEENFISH (SS-393), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine in enemy Japanese-controlled waters of the Luzon Strait, Philippine Islands, during the period 4 August 1944 to 3 October 1944. Pursuing highly aggressive and tenacious tactics despite strong air and surface opposition, Commander Loughlin penetrated enemy escort screens to launch damaging torpedo attacks against enemy Japanese shipping which resulted in the sinking of a 1,300-ton enemy destroyer, two large tankers, a large freighter and two large transports for a total of 48,000 tons. Participating in the rescue of eighteen British and Australian prisoners of war who were survivors of a Japanese ship which had been sunk, he provided care and treatment for the sick and wounded survivors and skillfully evaded severe countermeasures to bring his ship to port without serious damage. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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