“To win in the Pacific during World War II, the U.S. Navy had to transform itself technically, tactically, and strategically. It had to create a fleet capable of the unprecedented feat of fighting and winning far from home, without existing bases, in the face of an enemy with numerous bases fighting in his own waters....

United States submarines compiled a tremendous record of achievement during World War II, but they paid heavily for their successes. A total of 52 submarines were lost, including 48 sunk directly or indirectly by enemy action....