The USS Wahoo SS238 and her gallant crew sank 20 Japanese ships before being sunk in action on October 11, 1943. Their loss stood among the sacrifices of all submarines and crews on eternal patrol and all U.S. Navy submarine sailors. During World War II, the U.S. Submarine Force suffered the highest loss rate of the U.S. Armed Forces. Of the 16,000 officers and enlisted men who served on submarines during the war, 3,506 were lost. Although only 1.6% of the U.S. Navy, the Submarine Force sank 30% of the Japanese Imperial Navy and 60% of the Japanese Merchant Marines, choking off the Japanese economy. This victory came at a heavy price.