US Submarine rescue of downed pilots in Viet Nam

[amber]

Does anyone know if any US pilots were rescued during the Viet Nam War by US submarines in the Golf of Tonkin or the South Chine Sea?

[Ron James]

No, Modern submarines on patrol will not surface. Remember, they are designed to be to be undetectable, surfacing in a coastal area would kind of give away the supprise.

[jgaynor]

It was done a lot in WW2. I read a book years ago entitled "Zoomies, Subs and Zeros". Zoomies were the sub crew's name for the downed pilots. On occasion when a pilot and his raft were too close to shore for safe surfacing the submariners would raise the periscope and the piot would attach a tow line. Once safely out to sea they would surface and take the piiot aboard.

[Ron James]

The US Navy did try one POW rescue in 1972, dry feet, special sub , the USS Greyback, came close to shore, sent two seals inland, but the rescue failed.