War in the Boats

Archival Summary & Scope

WWII submarine duty was extraordinarily dangerous, claiming 22% of American submariners. Ensign Bill Ruhe, a young Naval Academy graduate, documented eight perilous South Pacific patrols against the Japanese in his journal. *War in the Boats*, based on Ruhe's meticulous notes, vividly portrays the extreme pressures and unique combat of undersea warfare. His extensive experiences across three types of American submarines make this one of the most inclusive accounts of the Pacific war. More than a historical record, it offers a young officer's personal impressions of conflict's impact on a tight-knit crew. This compelling true story reads like the best naval fiction, earning its place alongside classics like *Run Silent, Run Deep* and *Das Boot*.