USS Seadragon 'Operation Seadragon'

[@johnkendall6962]

I live in a very rural area of Pennsylvania, Our old family doctor was a WW2 vet but he wasn't a surgeon let alone an eye surgeon . In the mid 1970s he performed eye surgery on me at 11 at night because he was afraid if he sent me to the hospital I would be blind in that eye. At that time our rural hospital only had a skeleton crew at night. He told me later, that in the war he was right behind the front line in a field hospital patching up the boys. He said he was never trained as a surgeon but was often called upon to do it or help the surgeons. He must have done a good job, Today in my 60s I still have 20/20 vision. Today with a lawyer behind every tree, no country doctor would ever do what he did. Ps in 1936 he delivered my mother, in 1955 he delivered me. Something else country doctors don't do because they fear being sued.

[@kaptainkaos1202]

Out of 5 kids 4 were delivered by the same doctor. Dad was USN at the time and we were in Norfolk, VA. When mom would go into labor dad would take her to PA to deliver. The one he didn’t deliver was my sister cause she came out in Newport News ahead of schedule.

[@johnkendall6962]

@@kaptainkaos1202 Our old country doc delivered most of my aunts, The only one he didn't was born during the war. He delivered all of my sisters except one. He still did all her pre-natal care but thought there was a problem. Those old country doctors took care of a lot of things that specialists do today.

[@parrot849]

We didn’t live in a rural area, just a small town. But I still remember our family doctor coming to our home in evenings and weekends making “house calls” when one of us were especially sick or injured. And you’d call him on a “party-line” telephone. We also had fresh bottled milk, butter, etc. delivered to the front porch in the AM. And “rabbit ears” to receive reception of the two television channels on our black & white TV!

[@tomjustis7237]

Did some research on this. Following this incident, several high level members of the navy medical corps wanted to court martial Lipes for preforming an unauthorized operation. Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed and Lipes was later commissioned and retired from the navy as a Lieutenant Commander. Rector, unfortunately, was transferred to the USS Tang. The Tang was lost when one of its own torpedoes malfunctioned during a surface attack, made a circular run, and hit the Tang. Only those crewmen on deck at the time survived. Rector was not one of them.

[@johnw2026]

Can't help but think if Rector had died on the table, Lipes WOULD have been court-marshaled, and would have been dishonorably discharged, at best.

[@allandavis8201]

No matter what anyone says Lipes did the best he could given the circumstances, anyone who thought he should be courts marshalled should get their heads tested. Without Lipes Rector would have died long before being transferred to the USS Tang. We all know that having a doctor on every submarine is not feasible and sometimes if something like this happens the corpsman is the only one on board who has even the slightest knowledge of what needs to be done to save a mans life, so unless the United States Navy medical corps top brass want to put a doctor onboard every vessel they need to accept that things have to be done outside the normal scope of a corpsmen duties, and no blame should be attached to them for their actions if it is a necessity for them to make the decision to try and save a life.

[@tomservo5347]

Typical desk jockeys clucking away when they feel their authority was undermined. What sense did that make if Rector would have died anyway? (Unfortunately he died on the USS Tang when a torpedo malfunction made their own fish turn back on them.)

[@tomjustis7237]

@@tomservo5347 I'm not sure it was 'desk jockeys' worrying about their 'authority' being undermined. I think it was more of the fact that trained doctors felt their status as the ultimate and only protectors of people in extreme medical situations was challenged by Lipes actions. After all, if a lowly Pharmacist Mate could perform such an operation, doesn't that challenge the concept of doctors being godlike?

[@BucksSuperStereoWorld]

I remember hearing of this hot run.

[@donaldhill3823]

Salute to all the Corpsmen out there. We might joke that the Docs did not have anything to do but we sure appreciated having you around.

[@davebunnell7408]

In my day no one messed with the Corpsmen or the yeomen...

[@Acc0rd79]

As someone who had his appendix out when I was just 4 years old...I can tell you the pain was unbelievable. I will always remember how bad it was, you couldn't even sit up or anything. I was rushed into surgery the very next morning when they saw it was about to burst. It took a few weeks before I could run and jump again. Man that pain was crazy and it was 35 years ago!!!

[@GreatDataVideos]

Yes, I was 5 and still remember the pain over 55 years ago.

[@steveprestegard5151]

Appendectomy on Valentine's Day my senior year in high school. Hurt like hell.

[@Elvis20101]

I was 60 before I had mine out, glad to have it gone, painfull

[@johnrogan9420]

captain...assisting in a medical operation and directing a submarine's dive and depth charging!

[@johnrogan9420]

an amazing episode!

[@GreatDataVideos]

I had appendicitis when I was 5, in the early 60's. I still remember the pain! Nearly died. I had the same reaction to the chloroform - nasty smell! The surgeon was fresh from medical school. He always remembered that surgery and would ask my mother how I was, even many years later.

[@paulredinger5830]

I remember having my appendix out when I was 14. Two ways they can confirm it’s your appendix outside of nausea, fever, and pain. (My temperature was normal throughout the whole thing. I rarely have a fever for some reason) #1 they take a finger and go up your bottom while you lay on your side and they can feel if it’s swollen. #2 they take 2-3 fingers and gently press down on your belly where your appendix is located. Then the quickly remove those fingers. After they get your fingers out of the ceiling and peel you off the ceiling they’re pretty certain it’s your appendix.

[@philgiglio7922]

It's called "rebound tenderness"...iff the patient reacts when pressure is removed: get ready for surgery

[@blcdad]

I really enjoy watching these old episodes of the "The Silent Service". Thanks for posting them! For some reason I'm fascinated with WWII subs.

[@carolprice1389]

I have nothing but respect for all submariners in ww2 and the cold war and now.

[@jdh91741]

What happened to Darrel Dean Rector? It was his 19th birthday Sept. 11 1942 at time of surgery. Rector survived the surgery and was later transferred to the USS Tang. On the night of October 24, 1944 the USS Tang was finishing off a record war patrol and she had attacked a convoy. O'Kane was going to fire her last two torpedoes at a crippled Japanese merchant ship and then head for home. The last torpedo fired went erratic and made a circular run striking the Tang in the stern. Out of 87 Tang crew members only 9 men escaped from the submarine and/or survived the night, Darrel Rector was a lookout on the bridge when the Tang went down and he ended up swimming in the water. Two of the Tang Survivors remember hearing him calling out to Sidney Jones in the night. The next morning he nor Jones could not be found. He is now on Eternal Patrol in the Formosa Strait near Turnabout Island. He was 21. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Mr. Lipes "the surgeon" died April 17, 2005. When asked about Dean and the operation Mr. Lipes said, "I always thought he was the guy who had the courage. I've asked myself, "Would I have gotten up on that table and let someone do the same thing to me?" He was one of the most courageous people I've ever met." Tang Survivor Bill Leibold said he was very proud of his scar.

[@johnrogan9420]

needed a life jacket!

[@watchgoose]

appendicitis occurs in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, not in the stomach which is higher up and on the other side.

[@Elvis20101]

I tell you from mine, it starts in middle and then moves to the side

[@jameswooten514]

As a 7 or 8 year old boy with our family's first B & W TV, I was imprinted like a new baby duck so that I have a continuing affinity today more than 60 years by these Silent Service episodes to watching any submarine movie.

[@stevemcconnico1837]

Richard Deacon, from the Dick Van Dyke show, as Doc. He was a really good actor that nobody ever remembers.

[@matrox]

+Steve McConnico He played in Leave it to Beaver also as Lumpys father.

[@robertmott1144]

i remember him, a fine actor....

[@markforbus7146]

Jack Klugman from Quincy M.E. is at patients head.

[@samhouston1673]

I remember him well.

[@robertbishop5357]

I remember old baldy.

[@Straswa]

Truly amazing story. Thanks for sharing.

[@BucksSuperStereoWorld]

Richard, you sir are the man for posting all of these awesome accurate stories from the 2nd great War. I was born in 1983, so I am 39 now, but I have been researching history (specifically maritime history) for the last 33 years, and I've always been interested in the Navy and our glorious history during WWII and what we managed to accomplish. Our Silent Service and their brave volunteers were one of the biggest part of our war effort, so to highlight the many stories of their sacrifices and their many brave fights fills me with pride to be an American. Thank you sir!

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

Welcome to 40 and happy birthday early, or belatedly.

[@180mph9]

Another amazing story of courageous men of the Submarine Service.

[@kingjames7273]

Saved that man's life.a great bunch of human beings

[@MingEmperoroftheUniverse]

Any chance of getting episodes S02 E07 The Ugly Duckling, S02 E21 The S-44 and S02 E36 Royal Submarines ? these episodes seem to be missing.

[@robertnegron9706]

That’s a dangerous condition if it bursts. Serious.

[@johnheigis83]

Just plain outstanding!

[@ltpls1]

See the USS Silversides story as well. George Platner was the patient in that case.

[@jimlaguardia8185]

A young Richard Deacon. PS: The widespread sentiment in the US Navy used to be “never volunteer for submarine duty.”

[@mechanicmike2858]

I've watched this 3 times over and every time I have to wait for the outcome biting my fingernails

[@dougarters2691]

Incredible.

[@robertnegron9706]

Amazing nerves to perform that.

[@Steve_1999]

It's Lumpy Rutherford's father!!

[@philmann3476]

Proper Corona countermeasures, even in 1942. Well done, well done indeed.

[@stephenfarthing3819]

There's always the signs of a different kind of courage - sometimes the toughest thing is to do the right thing! To operate on a submarine can be tricky but with only a pharmacist on board. It's left to those onboard to do what they are able to do. It's one of the roughest things to pursue. He still saved a life. I think Lipes was badly treated. He had to choose to do this - this is ultimately the Captain's responsibility. A Captain - no less - a crew have to look out for each other!

[@GermanShepherd1983]

It's Richard Deacon. Now where's Morrie Amsterdam to insult him?

[@billb2479]

I seem to remember this. Was there a previous appendectomy episode?

[@Gotham_Moon]

Bill B Possibly. There were 3 appendectomies aboard submarines during the war. Lipes' surgery on Rector was the first. This situation was also used in "Destination, Tokyo" and, I think, "Run Silent, Run Deep." Also, there was an episode of "Pulitzer Prize Playhouse" called 'The Pharmacist's Mate,' which was another dramatization of this event.

[@billb2479]

cello_shots I may be thinking of Destination Tokyo

[@Zephyrmec]

Antibiotics have sure made a huge difference in medicine since the 40s. In the 60s and prior, it seems as if appendectomies were somewhat common, now I’m in my 60s and don’t remember ever having met anyone who has had an emergency appendectomy. Perhaps antibiotics are killing off infections earlier so that people don’t end up septic, with infected and inflamed appendixes requiring emergency surgery. I realize my experiences are anecdotal, but there seems to be some sort of connection. Fewer emergency surgeries in general....

[@philgiglio7922]

@@Zephyrmec ...no, you are remembering correctly. Early '60s one of my classmates had an acute attack, and it was 5 hours before he was admitted to hospital. His appendix was hot and just about to burst. He wound up missing 3 weeks of school.

[@waynepolek8648]

Unfortunately the patient, Darryl Rector, perished aboard the USS Tang.

[@keyweststeve3509]

He sure enough did. www.oneternalpatrol.com/rector-d-d.htm

[@markhonerbaum9874]

I'm certain to try to get more information on this,as it's certainly anti a good ending.

[@johndo3930]

@@keyweststeve3509 and then being killed by their own faulty torpedo . Those submariners must have hated those early torpedos .

[@robertbishop5357]

Yup, he definitely has appendicitis. He probably had a ruptured appendix. Unfortunately packing in ice was a huge mistake. A ruptured appendix causes a huge case of septicemia which kills quickly. Telling him he wasn't experienced at this I think was a mistake. I say this as an RN who works in a trauma hospital. Should have also tried to rig up a suction machine along with a cauterizer.

[@robertbishop5357]

How do u know he died. There's no mention of that.

[@bubwal23xifan]

The irony is, the higher up officers and some of the medical officers brought up that all submariners should have their appendix removed while the in training or before heading out on a war patrol. It was shot down by the main people in Washington as unnecessary. After several submariners ended up having appendicitis and needed them removed during patrol, the suggestion proved to have merit.

[@accousticdecay]

such COURAGE!!!

[@441cessna]

My dad was the corpsman on the 566 Trout there was nothing he couldn't do! Weld, build a radio or take your appendix out! He was pretty good on tooth aches too! Sucked on his bedside manners though!

[@johnheigis83]

Please teach this breathing preparation... ( I learned it, by happenstance and experimentation, during my last two PFTs, in 1977, while serving in the USMC. It wasn't taught, anywhere.) Even, to begin a day; and, especially, to prep for anything strenuous (as before a test, a speech, exercising, a game, chaos, battle, etc.). Like while dressing for a game... ... First, breath out, completely... ... Then, take a deep deep breath, and hold it as long as you can; while, even, taking in more air, before finally letting it go... ...Then, let your body calm, until you breath normal, again. Do a deep breath, at least 6 times in a row, before a jog, or a race, for instance; or, occasionally, while getting ready for work; and, occasionally, throughout your day. Just, get used to it. Make it's part of your normal day; especially, if you're physically or mentally active... Or, like me... Aging. Such, stretches your chest, and lungs, wide open, so you take in far more air than usual, thereafter, with each following breath. It makes one feel like, when coming out again after a halftime... Ready! I had always struggled with my breathing, during the quarterly Physical Fitness Test, 3 mile runs. I always finished, about middle of the pack, (Run = 18:00 minutes being a perfect score). However, the evening before my second to last PFT, by chance, I had been swimming, and practicing my water treading, to help battle my fear of water, in light of my particular occupation, as a hit-the-beach Marine. Naturally, I noticed a marked difference, in my breathing, during my run, the next morning. First, my lungs weren't burning, or fighting to catch a second breath, as per usual, at the beginning. It made the entire run easier; and - dare I say - more comfortable. And, it really improved my time. Anyway, for my last PFT, I remember, I did - exactly - 5 deep, held breaths, at the line, before beginning the PFT run/race, that next morning. (I probably swam some, the evening before, too.). I even started the run, at a walk, with all other runners taking off in the usual racers sprint, fighting for the lead. I was the last guy off the starting line. I crossed the finish line, with about 100 yards between me and the second man behind me. While, easily passing all the sprinters, at the beginning... one by one... ... And, not having to struggle for breath, like they - all - were. And, at the end, I was able to really turn it on, for about the last 50+ yards. I earned myself a 4 day Pass from it. Thusly, any team leader should teach this; and, to then, shout "breathe", occasionally, to do exactly this; especially, at crucial points before, and in a game, etc. Again, please pass it on. I teach it to anyone who will listen. In fact, it should be empirically tested; and, taught in schools... In sports... In war...!.. (Imagine, running through a jungle, with your wounded buddy hanging over your shoulders.). As I said, it isn't, or wasn't taught, as late as recently. However, I suspect, news of this practice is spreading. I also tell folks in sports, that they must teach it to their competitors, along the way, (after winning their dreams)! I also learned, it helps for calming you, before a speech, presentation, and the like. (I think the calming comes from a slight build up of CO2, in the body. While, it doesn't take long to clear it out, with deeper breathing, thereafter. I suspect, also, it will definitely help those of us, who forget to breath, while entering high stress situations.). Oh, too, it seems to help with falling asleep, if it's done several times, at bedtime. Please test it out, and give me some feedback. Thanks. John Semper Fidelis...!...

[@matrox]

I had no idea Lumpy Rutherford's old man was on a sub.

[@JeepWrangler1957]

Is that Mel from Dick van Dyke?

[@scottwegner4232]

That's an order of magnitude less than "seat of your pants" surgery. Amazing that they pulled it off.

[@philgiglio7922]

Someone, somewhere had to perform that first surgery . Unless you have an extensive knowledge of anatomy it would be very easy to cut the wrong thing. It helps that Lipes had witnessed the surgery... since it would have been a teaching experience the surgeon would be doing a blow by blow discription of what/how/why

[@johnrogan9420]

Men of Annapolis...West Point...Victory at Sea...Silent Service...Sea Hunt...boomers actually got a good education watching 1950s TV.

[@johnrettig1880]

This episode brings a hole different meaning to ..... " Operation Pacific "

[@dehoedisc7247]

Whole, Not "hole".

[@johnrettig1880]

@@dehoedisc7247 First of Not my fault Defective voice app . Two I've had trouble pronouncing certain words. Since my stroke .

[@dehoedisc7247]

@@johnrettig1880 My apology, I have a big mouth and I was Wrong.

[@johnrettig1880]

@@dehoedisc7247 No it's just now a days it's harder to talk face to face and with the possibility that someone is listening in or reading something personal

[@dehoedisc7247]

@@johnrettig1880 The boy "Jeff" in the original TV series of "Lassie" was played by Tommy Rettig, any relation?

[@lawrenceparker5438]

The was depicted in the movie Destitation: Tokyo with Cary Grant

[@mikestewy55]

good series but a lot of same footage from different episodes rolled over

[@stevemcconnico1837]

Mike Stewy Like todays shows, the same footage was used to save money, like using the WW2 footage.

[@matrox]

+Mike Stewy You would never notice if you were not looking at one episode after the other. This was just a weekly show in the 50s. Now we can look it half hourly.

[@HollywoodGraham]

There is only so much footage to choose from, T.V. news is still doing the same thing.

[@matrox]

LOL...I like how they made their surgical masks out of some ones under drawers.

[@dehoedisc7247]

Properly laundered I hope.

[@packingten]

@@dehoedisc7247 Those yellow stains...

[@PLoWBoY618]

Could you do it ? shit happens and sometimes you just have to pay the Fiddler....

[@robertnegron9706]

He should of gotten the dsm

[@johnheigis83]

Watch.... PBS.... "Half the Sky": "FET"... ( In Part II). And, "Meet John Doe" (Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwick...)... A system that mixes those possibilities, as our secondary manual backup system.

[@robertnegron9706]

The doc looks familiar

[@chrisduke3251]

With no surgical gear, where did all the surgical garments come from? Second episode with the surgical garb.

[@johnw2026]

Bedsheets??

[@LordNinja109]

They used everything from shaving razors to bed sheets

[@chuckcabral1771]

Having served in the air Force you learn to improvise

[@philgiglio7922]

@@chuckcabral1771 ...at a Civil War reenactment, medical demonstration One man caught my eye...it wasn't until he said..."that looks like the gear I saw in the tunnels". He was a Nam era tunnel rat. I twigged bc of his short stature Surgical instruments haven't changed much since the days of Rome.

[@redeyedmongoose2963]

I love the captains comment you’ll be gambling with a man’s life When he’s gambling with 90 men’s lives 24 seven

[@JovitaMortel-po1gx]

❤

[@dks13827]

they tried to court martial the good guy here......................... you all get that ?

[@Wa3ypx]

Destination Tokyo

[@johnrogan9420]

Pharmacist Mate

[@Wa3ypx]

Lumpy Rutherford's father

[@johnrogan9420]

Periternium

[@johnrogan9420]

911 in 1944!

[@Steve_1999]

I would rather die than have some pharmacist's mate (or whatever it's called) cut me open in a submarine without the proper tools or medication. That's brutal. I'd say bed rest, pain medication and antibiotics until the opportunity to get him on a hospital ship, hospital or a larger more equipped vessel. I'm not a doctor either but I have somewhat vast medical-pharmaceutical knowledge.

[@randymagnum143]

You're not in the middle of the pacific either.

[@Steve_1999]

@@randymagnum143 How do you know that? I'm sailing around the globe 🌎

[@philgiglio7922]

At that time point of time the ONLY antibiotic was sulfa, which was strictly topical. Penicillin would not be in widespread clinical use until about late '44. .. Transit time between patrol area & home port could be as much as 2 weeks. Rector would have either died of infection, or the morphine supply would have been exhausted.

[@Steve_1999]

@@philgiglio7922 This was one of a few operations done without proper tools and medicine, some died. I would have refused the surgery but everyone made their own decision for surgery while underway at that time in naval history. I would ask for sulfonamide and pain medication until there is a safe place to be transported by seaplane or to another larger vessel. Sea sickness, heat and stress can also mimic appendicitis symptoms.

[@PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

My dad had a sister who died at 18 of a ruptured appendix, on dry land, in a hospital. It’s not necessarily as simple as antibiotics (not yet available at the time) and pain management.