By Ryan C. Walker
Introduction
On October 28, 1923, as USS O-5 was starting its transit by the Panama Canal to take part in fleet workouts, it collided with the United Fruit Firm’s Abangarez, sinking in lower than a minute.¹ A lot of the crew managed to flee, however one sailor made a fateful choice that saved the lifetime of his shipmate. That sailor’s Medal of Honor Quotation reads:
“For heroism and devotion to responsibility whereas serving on board the U.S. submarine O-5 on the time of the sinking of that vessel. On the morning of 28 October 1923, the O-5 collided with the steamship Abangarez and sank in lower than a minute. When the collision occurred, Breault was within the torpedo room. Upon reaching the hatch, he noticed that the boat was quickly sinking. As a substitute of leaping overboard to save lots of his personal life, he returned to the torpedo room to the rescue of a shipmate who he knew was trapped within the boat, closing the torpedo room hatch on himself. Breault and Brown remained trapped on this compartment till rescued by the salvage occasion 31 hours later.”²
Eight submariners have been awarded the Medal of Honor whereas serving aboard submarines, however just one was an enlisted man. He occurred to be the primary as nicely: Torpedoman’s Mate First Class (TM1, he obtained the award as a TM2) Henry Breault.
After receiving his award, Breault continued to serve regardless of failing well being, solely ending his service when he handed on to Everlasting Patrol because of congestive coronary heart failure two days earlier than the assault on Pearl Harbor – December 5, 1941. He rests in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Putnam, CT, however lives on as a submariner people hero. There has by no means been a naval vessel named to honor Breault. Naming a Virginia-Class submarine after Breault wouldn’t solely honor his extraordinary braveness however function a long-lasting reminder of the values that proceed to information submariners immediately.
The Rescue
The Canal neighborhood’s efforts to rescue USS O-5 are described by Julius Grigore Jr. in two articles printed within the Navy Engineer (1969) and Proceedings (1972). They stand as the great accounts of the collision and rescue, although some inaccuracies stay, such because the variety of makes an attempt to lift the vessel and reported date of Breault’s Medal of Honor award ceremony (Grigore reported April 4, 1924, possible the date Breault returned to Coco Solo).³
In response to Grigore’s account, when stories of the collision and sinking arrived, divers mobilized to find O-5 and decide if there have been any survivors. By means of knocks in opposition to the hull, Breault and Brown have been in a position to sign their location within the torpedo room. Whereas they have been fortunately in shallow water, as soon as that they had made contact, their energetic function ended; they needed to look ahead to 31 hours with no meals or water and solely a flashlight because the Panama Canal neighborhood made efforts to rescue them.
At the moment, no formal process existed for rescue from a disabled submarine resting seven fathoms deep aside from to flee by way of the torpedo tubes, an evolution which had solely been tried with divers in managed environments near the floor.4 Additional, because of interlocks, one particular person would have needed to stay behind to open the torpedo tube. Assessing their choices, Breault and Brown made the fateful choice that both each of them or neither of them would escape their refuge.
Commander, Submarine Base Coco Solo, Amon Bronson assumed command of the rescue operation and requested the heaviest raise capability crane barges, Hercules and Ajax from the Panama Canal. Each crane barges have been on the opposite finish of the canal and in a accident, unable to right away reply because of a landslide on the Gaillard Reduce that occurred at practically the identical time because the collision: the vessels wanted to attend for the rubble to be cleared, and the primary rescue try started 13 hours after the collision.
Upon his arrival, civilian diver Sheppard Shreaves would relieve USN divers and spend practically 24 hours clearing particles and dust, and attaching the lifting hook to the disabled O-5. He would obtain the Congressional Gold Lifesaving Medal and a gold watch gifted by submariners for his efforts. Three raise makes an attempt failed, however on the fourth try, the O-5 was raised to the floor and Breault and Brown have been in a position to exit by way of the torpedo room hatch.5
Whereas Grigore asserts that Brown fainted from prostration upon rescue, it’s extra possible that it was really Breault, who was inflicted with Caisson Illness, colloquially often known as the bends. Consequently, the first account of the rescue didn’t belong to Breault, however to Brown. Brown “appeared no worse for put on” and he was in a lucid sufficient state to retell their story.6 Brown states that he was resting earlier than his watch when he felt the crash from the Abangarez. Alerted by Breault, “We each went into the torpedo room, closing the door behind us. The boat sank in thirty seconds, settling in forty ft of water at an angle of 70 levels to starboard.” Discovering themselves trapped in a compartment with 12 inches of water, holding quick to a ladder with solely a flashlight for illumination, Brown recalled that “the primary hour was the toughest”:
“Breault and I separated to pound on every of the boat’s sides. On this approach, the rescuers would know that have been two of us. Breault performed a sort of tune along with his hammer, indicating to the diver that we have been in fine condition and cheerful. Neither of us knew Morse Code. We had no meals or water, and solely a flashlight. We have been assured we might keep alive for forty-eight hours.”
The pair’s persistence was rewarded as soon as they heard the exercise of the Panama Canal neighborhood working to have an effect on their rescue.7 Whereas being handled, Breault estimated that the compartment strain was between 25 and 50 kilos however the medical professionals treating Breault disputed these numbers, deciding they have been unlikely, however agreed that the 2 males had been subjected to excessive strain within the compartment for an prolonged interval.8
When requested why he stayed on-board as a substitute of leaping for security, Breault said merely, ‘I wished to remain and assist, if I might.”9 Surprisingly, this seems to be the extent of what Breault shared after his rescue as no official statements have been recorded in his Official Navy Personnel File on the topic and just one letter was recognized as being from him. The letter is accessible immediately due to its publication within the New York Instances:
“Only a line to let you realize that I’m nonetheless alive. You haven’t any doubt learn concerning the sinking of the submarine. We have been down there for hours and had no meals. There was water within the lead tanks, however we didn’t dare to make use of it as a result of it had been there for months and we have been afraid of lead poisoning. I certain was a sick boy however am nicely now. I’ve been out serving to to lift the submarine. She is all proper besides the central management room the place she was struck. The craft will quickly be in situation once more. However a number of the crew won’t ever go down in a submarine once more. Happily it didn’t trouble me in any respect.”10
On the time, the story was nicely reported, however public sentiment and curiosity was greatest captured by Omaha’s Sunday Bee on November 4, 1923:
“Easy sufficient, when informed in phrases, however tremendously essential when calmly seen. It’s the actual glory of the service, for it was not completed in presence of the embattled foeman, however as a routine act when hazard and demise threatened in an sudden type. Henry Breault’s identify goes down with different heroes who’ve introduced honor to themselves and satisfaction to People.”11
Remembering Breault a Century Later
Barring stories following the occasion and Grigore’s analysis, Breault remained largely forgotten till the early Nineties, when a number of submariners uncovered analysis carried out by the Aspinock Historic Society in Putnam, CT, and the Submarine Drive Library and Museum (SFLM) in Groton, CT. The SFLM didn’t have an exhibit for Breault in its Medal of Honor part, and he was included solely after Curator Stephen Finnegan found Grigore’s two articles within the Nineties.12
Jim Christley constructed on this analysis and launched it to the submarine drive, resulting in renewed curiosity by the USN that started to culminate by the flip of the millennium. A brand new pier was named for Breault in Pearl Harbor, HI, on June 18, 1999 and on Could 19, 2001, a memorial was devoted at Naval Station New London’s Wilkinson Corridor in Groton, CT.13 Breault’s hometown of Putnam, CT additionally devoted a footbridge in his reminiscence on 11 November 2003, guaranteeing Breault would by no means be forgotten.14
Over time, these efforts have contributed to Breault’s rising standing as submarine people hero. On March 8, 2024, the centennial anniversary of Breault’s award, a Primary Enlisted Submarine Faculty class named in Breault’s honor graduated on that very same day, the place he was remembered as 96 aspiring submariners moved on to their subsequent instructions, with visitor audio system together with representatives from CT’s federal legislature and RADM (ret.) Arnie Lotring, who gave a speech honoring Breault. On March 15, 2024, the Honorable Vermont State Consultant Michael Morgan invited native submariners to learn Home Concurrent Decision 167 on the Vermont Home ground recognizing Breault and the submarine service.15 The ultimate tribute to supply as his this centennial yr passes, might solely be to call a Virginia-Class submarine the usHenry Breault.
Why the usHenry Breault
Virginia-class submarines have been meant to be named after states, a legacy carried on from the Ohio-class. Lately, deviations from this custom have come beneath scrutiny as latest vessel names have transitioned from states to fish (Tang, Wahoo, Barb, and Silversides), cities (San Francisco and Miami), and even areas (Lengthy Island). As a Congressional Analysis Report famous in 2024:
“Till 2020, Virginia (SSN-774) class assault submarines have been named largely for states, however the newest eight have been named for 4 earlier U.S. Navy assault submarines, a former Secretary of the Navy, an island, and two cities, suggesting that there isn’t a longer a transparent naming rule for the category”
As there isn’t a longer a tough rule that guides the naming conference, it is a perfect time to ask, why not embody a Medal of Honor recipient? John Warner, Hyman G. Rickover, and John H. Dalton both have Virginia-Class submarines named after them or will. Earlier than that, Jimmy Carter, Mendel Rivers, Henry M. Jackson, the ’41 for Freedom’ and so many different dignitaries have been honored as submarine namesakes. Breault’s impression on the submariner neighborhood alone, however his heroism, warrants his consideration – naming a ship in his honor will support in recruitment and retention efforts, join communities (previous pals and new) to the submarine drive, and remind sailors of their heritage.
USS Henry Breault will Help Recruitment and Retention
In an period the place the USN is scuffling with recruitment and retention, the publicity generated by naming a submarine after an enlisted Medal of Honor recipient could be vital. It might reveal that the USN understands the sacrifices that the enlisted corps has made and can to guard freedom and democracy all over the world. The USN’s recruitment objective in FY24 was 40,600 new recruits, a rise from the earlier fiscal yr “regardless of two years of lacking its purpose for brand spanking new sailors,” for a complete of 40,978 new active-duty recruits enlisted.16 That is excellent news, however these recruits don’t instantly handle unfilled at-sea billets, which in Could 2024 quantity practically 18,000.17
Naming a submarine in honor of the one enlisted submariner to obtain the Medal of Honor would emphasize the contributions of the enlisted corps of the submarine drive and probably encourage extra women and men to enlist. The publicity generated would positively affect public perceptions of the function of enlisted submariners and equally improve the status of the undersea warfare neighborhood because the naming of a Ford-class plane service for Petty Officer Third-Class Doris Miller has achieved for the aviation and floor communities.
“Fish Don’t Vote”
Allegorically, Hyman G. Rickover as soon as shared at a cocktail party that submarines have been named after areas slightly than fish as a result of “fish don’t vote.”18 This has typically pushed their naming to be related to areas, however deviating from this custom would on this case serve to amplify the vessel’s connection to many communities throughout the nation, as Breault has vital native ties in a number of states. He was born in Putnam, CT, however moved to White Plains, NY in his childhood. He enlisted from Vermont, providing an handle in Grand Isle, VT. When he was active-duty, Breault frolicked in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in CA, and referred to Marysville, WA, as “house” in official paperwork. When he handed, he was stationed in Newport, RI, the place he additionally attended recruit coaching and “A” faculty. Breault’s service emphasizes the contribution these states have made to the success of the submarine drive and if related, would enable a number of main areas within the US to learn from the namesake. It might remind many who constructing submarines is a nation-wide effort that we should help and keep.
The Important Obligation of the Submariner: Ship, Shipmate, Self
Once I was active-duty, the primary man that got here to thoughts once I heard the road within the Sailor’s Creed, “I symbolize the combating spirit of the Navy and those that have gone earlier than me to defend freedom and democracy all over the world.”, was Henry Breault. Breault obtained the Medal of Honor for trying to save lots of the ship and when he realized nothing extra could possibly be completed, doing every part he might to save lots of a shipmate. He saved the lifetime of at the least certainly one of his shipmates (Lawrence Brown), and certain bought time for one more (Charles Butler) to flee. Breault’s willingness to “forged all private security apart” as described by his commanding officer, Harrison Avery, represents the expectation of each enlisted submariner immediately.19
The USN should take each alternative it might to reconnect its sailors and the American public to its mission and values, and a USS Henry Breault will surely develop into such an embodiment. Breault represents not solely the combating spirit of the navy, however the belief we place in our shipmates. Even throughout routine evolutions or transits, we could possibly be known as to carry out unbelievable heroic duties: as a result of we belief all we serve alongside.
Conclusion
USS Henry Breault has the potential to be a unifying drive for the USN and the nation, as acknowledged by the practically 1,600 individuals who signed the petition to call a submarine in his honor, and native leaders in quite a few communities akin to Putnam, CT have signaled their intent to help the submarine. Historical past was made when the usDoris Miller, was introduced, named in honor of Doris, “Dorie” Miller, and in Breault, the submariner neighborhood finds a possibility to call a submarine in honor of certainly one of its personal.
The united statesHenry Breault would join sailors to their heritage, acknowledge the efforts of a number of states to the submarine drive, and support in recruiting and retention efforts. In a time when sailors are so wanted, allow us to remind them that we bear in mind why.
Signal the petition right here.
Ryan C Walker served as a submariner within the USN from 2014-2019. After being honorably discharged, he labored within the protection trade whereas attending Southern New Hampshire College and College of Portsmouth, receiving within the former his BA in Historical past and within the latter his MA in Naval Historical past. Ryan is a PhD candidate at Portsmouth and has printed a number of articles and chapters in edited collections on American submariners, American Naval-Capital cities, and British Personal-Males-of-Conflict. His first guide, The Silent Service’s First Hero, was launched this yr and is a microhistorical investigation into the life and instances of Henry Breault.
Endnotes
[1]. Julius Grigore, Jr., ‘The Luck of the Submarine O-5’, The Navy Engineer, 61, No. 402
[2]. Congressional Medal of Honor, “Henry Breault,”
[3]. Julius Grigore, Jr., ‘The Luck of the Submarine O-5’, The Navy Engineer, 61, No. 402
(1969), 267-69; Julius Grigore, Jr., “The O-5 is Down!,” (February 1972), Proceedings, 98,
[4]. ‘The right way to Escape from a Sunken Submarine’, Scientific American, 102, No. 23 (1910), 460.
[5]. Grigore, “The Luck of the Submarine,” 268-69; Grigore, “The O-5 is Down,” Web site Reprint.
[6]. “They Stared on the Clock,” Newspaper Clipping, SFLM.
[7]. Grigore, “The Luck of the Submarine,” 268-69; Grigore, “The O-5 is Down,” Web site Reprint.
[8]. Jones, “Medical Historical past Sheet,” OMPF, 452.
[9]. “They Stared on the Clock for 15 Hours,” United Press Associations, October 31, 1923, Newspaper Clipping, SFLM.
[10]. “They Stared on the Clock,” Newspaper Clipping, SFLM.
[11]. The Sunday Bee, (Omaha), November 4, 1923, Web page 8.
[12]. Interview with Stephen Finnegan and Wendy Gulley, September, 8 2021.
[13]. Robert A. Hamilton, “Memorial Honors Enlisted Hero,” The Day, (New London) 19 Could 2001, Newspaper, Submarine Drive Library and Museum, Submarine Archives, Biography Assortment, Medal of Honor, Breault Assortment.
[14]. James E. Ratte Jr, “Speech Given Throughout TM1 Henry Breault Bridge Dedication, 11 November 2003,” Speech Transcript, Submarine Drive Library and Museum, Submarine Archives, Biography Assortment, Medal of Honor, Breault Assortment.
[15]. Congressional Analysis Service, “Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress,”
[16]. Heather Mongilio, “Navy, Marines Exceed Fiscal Yr 2024 Recruiting, Retention Targets,” USNI Information, October 1, 2024,
[17]. Jared Serbu, “Navy grapples with at-sea shortages as recruiting lags,” Federal Information Community, Could 20, 2024,
[18]. John F. O’Connell, “FISH DON’T VOTE,” The Submarine Evaluation (October 2023): Web site Reprint,
[19]. H. Avery, BREAULT, Henry, TM2c (210-83-03), Suggestion for Navy Cross, Coco Solo, 19 November 1923, RBNP, Official Navy Personnel File for Henry Breault.
Featured Picture: Henry Breault, March 8, 1924, Library of Congress {Photograph},
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