The Bravest Man

William Tuohy's "The Bravest Man" tells the story of Richard O'Kane, one of the most celebrated submarine commanders of the Pacific War, and situates his career within the broader history of the United States Navy's submarine force during World War II. The book draws on O'Kane's own record as commanding officer of the USS Tang, one of the most successful American submarines of the war, and traces his path from serving as executive officer under Dudley "Mush" Morton on the USS Wahoo to commanding his own boat and ultimately surviving its sinking and subsequent captivity as a prisoner of war in Japan.

Tuohy, a journalist by training, brings a reporter's eye for detail and narrative pacing to this account. The book does not merely recount battles and tonnage sunk, though those details are present and carefully documented. Instead, it seeks to explain the culture of the submarine service, the tactical innovations that made American submarines increasingly effective as the war progressed, and the psychological toll of undersea warfare on the men who volunteered for this dangerous branch of service. The submarine force suffered one of the highest casualty rates of any American military branch during the war, and Tuohy does not shy away from conveying the constant tension and fear that characterized long patrols beneath enemy-controlled waters.

O'Kane emerges from these pages as a complex figure: aggressive in his tactics, deeply committed to his crew, and driven by a relentless desire to engage the enemy. His time under Morton on the Wahoo shaped his approach to submarine warfare, emphasizing surface attacks at night and a willingness to press engagements that more cautious commanders might have avoided. When O'Kane took command of the Tang, he applied these lessons with remarkable success, sinking numerous Japanese vessels across several patrols. The book details the technical and tactical aspects of these engagements without becoming bogged down in jargon, making the material accessible to readers who may not have a background in naval history.

The climactic portion of the narrative concerns the sinking of the Tang, which occurred after one of its own torpedoes malfunctioned and circled back to strike the submarine. This event, occurring during what had already been an extraordinarily successful patrol, resulted in the deaths of most of the crew and left O'Kane among a small group of survivors who found themselves prisoners of the Japanese. Tuohy's account of O'Kane's captivity, including the harsh treatment he endured, adds a somber dimension to the book that balances the earlier chapters focused on combat success.

Throughout the book, Tuohy situates individual stories within the larger strategic context of the submarine war against Japan. He explains how American submarines, despite early struggles with defective torpedoes, eventually became one of the most effective weapons against Japanese shipping, contributing significantly to the economic strangulation of the Japanese war effort. This broader context helps readers understand why figures like O'Kane received such recognition, including the Medal of Honor, and why the submarine service holds a particular place in the history of the Pacific War.

The writing style is straightforward and journalistic, prioritizing clarity over literary flourish. Tuohy relies on interviews, official records, and existing historical accounts to construct his narrative, and the book reflects careful research into both the personal history of O'Kane and the operational history of the submarines on which he served. Readers interested in naval history, World War II biography, or the specific experience of submarine warfare will find this book a useful and engaging resource.

Overall, "The Bravest Man" succeeds in providing both a personal portrait of a decorated naval officer and a broader examination of submarine warfare during the Pacific War. It balances tactical detail with human drama, offering insight into the courage and sacrifice demonstrated by submarine crews who operated under some of the most dangerous conditions of the war. The book stands as a valuable contribution to the literature on American naval history in World War II.