“Peto Plucks Some Chickens” is a 1958 black-and-white episode of the docudrama “The Silent Service” — a show that was typically about the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. “Silent Service” episodes were based on fact and the realism was heightened by actual use of combat footage from the files of the Navy. The stories were varied between the South Pacific during World War II and the Korean War. The series was the brainchild of Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers, who retired from the Navy in 1949 after 22 years service and introduces this episode.
This episode stars Fred Eisley and Gil Lasky. The plot is based on actual events. The plot revolves around crewman John Laboon, who has his life strangely touched when, as USS Peto works a lifeguard patrol, he rescues a drowning flier. The episode shows standard rescue procedures with a PBY Catalina used as spotter aircraft.
USS Peto (SS-265), a Gato-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the peto, a sharp-nosed tropical fish of the mackerel family.
John Francis “Jake” Laboon, Jr. (11 April 1921 – 1 August 1988) was an officer of the United States Navy, who served as a submariner in World War II and as a Roman Catholic chaplain in the Vietnam War. Lieutenant Junior Grade Laboon was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions on Peto’s tenth war patrol. Following pick-up of a downed American pilot near Honshū, the crew searched for his wingman. The second aviator was soon spotted, but the water was shallow and mined, preventing Peto from maneuvering closer. To make matters worse, they were under intense enemy fire from a Japanese shore battery. The submarine’s commanding officer called for a volunteer, and without hesitation, LTJG Laboon dove off the submarine. Swimming through the mined waters, he rescued the pilot.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
