JOHN H. EICHMANN, LT, USN

John Eichmann '35

Date of birth: June 12, 1913

Date of death: March 15, 1943

Age: 29

Lucky Bag

From the 1935 Lucky Bag:

JOHN HOLBROOK EICHMANN

Boise, Idaho

"Eich" "Ichabod" "Johnny"

CONSIDER the possibility of a gifted intellect, graced with congenial good humor, a friendly smile, and you have Idaho's solution of what a gentleman ought to be. The endless tramp of the wooden in search of the light has worn a deep beaten track to his desk. Being Advertising Manager of the Lucky Bag has occupied much of his time; odd moments are consumed in fiddling around with radios and old code sets. Ichabod enjoys writing letters, double-times back to his room after class to receive answers to same. He waxes poetic when a full moon comes up over the trees. Soft, dreamy music makes him think of the girl(s) back home.

Crew 4, 3, Numeral. Advertising Manager Lucky Bag Hop Committee 1. Star 4, 2, 1. 4 Stripes.

JOHN HOLBROOK EICHMANN

Boise, Idaho

"Eich" "Ichabod" "Johnny"

CONSIDER the possibility of a gifted intellect, graced with congenial good humor, a friendly smile, and you have Idaho's solution of what a gentleman ought to be. The endless tramp of the wooden in search of the light has worn a deep beaten track to his desk. Being Advertising Manager of the Lucky Bag has occupied much of his time; odd moments are consumed in fiddling around with radios and old code sets. Ichabod enjoys writing letters, double-times back to his room after class to receive answers to same. He waxes poetic when a full moon comes up over the trees. Soft, dreamy music makes him think of the girl(s) back home.

Crew 4, 3, Numeral. Advertising Manager Lucky Bag Hop Committee 1. Star 4, 2, 1. 4 Stripes.

Loss

John was lost when USS Triton (SS 201) was sunk by Japanese destroyers on March 15, 1943. He was the boat's executive officer.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

“Johnnie” graduated from Boise High School in 1930. “Adam Bore his name in silence.” Home Room Rep., 1; Dramatic Club, 3-4; Honor Roll, 1-2-3-4; One-Act Plays, 3; “Seventh Heaven,” 3; Nat’l Honor Society, 4; S.M.S. Club, 3-4; Pres., 4; Hi-Y, 4; Senior Class Play. He also attended the College of Idaho.
In 1935 John was one of nine graduates who received letters of commendation from Rear-Admiral David Foote Sellers, superintendent of the Naval Academy, for having contributed most by their officer-like qualities and positive characters to the development of naval spirit and loyalty within the regiment.
He was survived by his father, Herman N. Eichmann, an accountant; mother Carrie (Mrs. Edward W. Clark,) wife Florence, a daughter, and brothers Robert and Gordon.

His wife was listed as next of kin.

Photographs

Career

From the now-broken link http://www.fleetorganization.com/subcommandersclassyear3.html:

Duty USS S-27 (SS-132) 1 Jul 1939 - 1 Oct 1939

Duty USS Triton (SS-201) Aug 1940 - 1942

Executive Officer USS Triton (SS-201) Apr 1942 - 15 Mar 1943

Acting Captain USS Triton (SS-201) 30 Sep 1942

Lieutenant (j.g.) 6 Jun 1938

Lieutenant 1 Aug 1941

Silver Star

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant John Holbrook Eichmann (NSN: 074974), United States Navy, for extremely gallant and intrepid conduct as Officer-of-the-Deck of the U.S.S. TRITON (SS-201), during two highly successful and aggressive Submarine War Patrols in alien waters in 1942. By maintaining constant vigilance, Lieutenant Eichmann sighted an enemy Japanese convoy at extreme night range and conned the TRITON into an idea position from which a successful attack was made. Again, while on patrol through little-known waters, he correctly estimated a situation which enabled the TRITON to make a successful approach, attack and sink an enemy destroyer leader of 1,700 tons. His skill and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: 1942
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Officer-of-the-Deck
Division: U.S.S. Triton (SS-201)

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant John Holbrook Eichmann (NSN: 074974), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Assistant Approach Officer and as Executive Officer and Navigator serving on board the U.S.S. TRITON (SS-201), during the FIFTH and SIXTH War Patrols of that Submarine in the Pacific War Area. Courageous and steadfast in plotting the safe course of his ship through unfamiliar, enemy-infested waters, Lieutenant Eichmann discharged his grave responsibilities skillfully and with unwavering devotion to duty. By his expert advice and ready information, he rendered invaluable service to his Commanding Officer throughout the relentless attacks on hostile surface forces and contributed essentially to the sinking of five Japanese ships. His efficient performance of a vital task despite severe weather conditions and the continued strain of hazardous undersea operations reflects the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 04780 (September 11, 1944)
Action Date: December 6, 1942 - April 1943
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Executive Officer
Division: U.S.S. Triton (SS-201)

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.

October 1935

Ensign, USS Lexington

Others at this command:

LT William Eaton '21
LT James Carney '21

ENS George Fuller '35

ENS Richard McGowan '35

Others at or embarked at this command:

LTjg Walter Dey '24 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 5B)
LT James McDonough '24 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 5B)
LTjg Baylies Clark '30 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 1B)

LTjg Philip Ashworth '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Eugene Lytle, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 5B)