Nothing Friendly in the Vicinity: My Patrols on the Submarine USS Guardfish During WWII (Bluejacket Books) [Paperback]

Claude C. Conner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2004 | Series: Bluejacket Books

Claude Conner weaves a compelling tale of his experiences as a radar technician in the Pacific aboard the USS Guardfish, one of the Navy's most successful World War II submarines. Tragically, the Guardfish was also the only submarine to sink another American warship in a little-known friendly fire action against the USS Extractor. This thoroughly researched memoir chronicles the Guardfish's numerous heroic operations, such as her perilous forays into Japanese-controlled harbours and the daring rescue of personnel from a Japanese-held island. It includes first-hand accounts by a dozen Extractor survivors, who describe the actions leading up to their encounter with the submarine, the actual sinking of the ship, and their rescue and subsequent treatment by Navy officials. The author examines the chain of events that led to the sinking of the Extractor and provides details of the Court of Inquiry that followed and for which he testified as a witness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I can attest to the authenticity and soundness of Claude Connors Nothing Friendly in the Vicinity. It is an excellent firsthand account of the Pacific submarine war, and I heartily recommend it." -- Clay Blair, author of Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War in the Pacific, and Hitlers U-Boat War --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591141303
• ISBN-13: 978-1591141303
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > History > Military > United States > Veterans

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a submariner., July 17, 2003

By 

William B. Prigmore (Cloverdale, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nothing Friendly In The Vicinity (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in submarines. Since I made five submarine war patrols during WWII, and served in the U.S. Navy for twenty six years, it's possible I may be a bit biased. This is the best submarine book I've ever read that gives a realistic look at the day to day life of a submarine crew in action. The perspective is from the view of an enlisted man,who really tells it the way it was.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Appeals to the inner pirate, November 7, 2006

By 

Toe Tag (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nothing Friendly In The Vicinity (Hardcover)

This is an interesting book for one reason in particular. It is the only first person account of submarine warfare I know that was written by an enlisted sailor in the navy. It's well written a good story and shouldn't take long to finish.

This book centers more on the personal triumphs of the people on board the submarine and less on the strategy of submarines in the war. All in all, a great account of their war patrols.

As a radio nut I think it's particularly interesting that the author was a radio man in the service. I can't think of a book written by anyone in the service who played a role in radio service. As a result of mission he was in a key position to observe everything that was going with the ship and its place in history.

If you liked this book you might like to find War in the Boats, Wahoo, Clear the Bridge, and Silent Running by Calvert.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in depth look at submarine life during world war 2, August 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Nothing Friendly In The Vicinity (Hardcover)

This book about the submarine USS Gaurdfish is an in depth look at look at the war patrols of a famous sub and is a great read. I highly recommend reading this book to veterans and people who are interested in military ships and events.