Dating to 1958, this episode of the TV show “Silent Service” is entitled “The Triton’s Christmas”. It tells the story of a wartime Christmas aboard the submarine USS Triton (SS-201). This episode represented something of a change of pace from the normal action-packed “Silent Service” episodes, as the submarine is sent to assist and observe the first U.S. bombing raid on Japanese occupied Wake Island. (Triton was one of three submarines stationed between Midway and Wake Islands to mark the way for United States Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator bombers in strikes on Wake and to rescue the crews of any planes forced down at sea. She made no rescues, but, on the night of 23 December, she aided in guiding the Liberators in a night bombing attack on the island) The USS Triton’s log for Dec. 25, 1942 reads: “0900, dived to 200 feet and held appropriate Christmas ceremonies.” These included Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, a tree, passing out of Christmas gifts, and a Santa Claus. In the holiday spirit, one man learns that war sometimes unites families as well as divides them. The skipper of the Triton, Lt. Cdr. C. C. Kirkpatrick, became. a Rear Admiral and was Chief of Naval Information
Hosted by Thomas Dykers, it stars Eric Fleming as Lt. Cmdr. C. C. Kirkpatrick, Paul Picerni
as Lt. John H. Eichman, Michael Miller as Lt. H. C. Van Roosen, Wright King as McKenzie, George Brenlin as Mike Kaluskie, Ralph Votrian as Otterson, Harry Landers as the Chief Quartermaster, Benny Baker as Mayhew the Cook and Walter Kelley as Andrews. It was directed by Jean Yarborough and written by Jack Jacobs.
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