This episode of the WWII submarine TV show “The Silent Service”, hosted by Rear Admiral Thomas Dykers, dates to season two in 1958. “The Tigershark” tells the story of a (re-named but apparently real) submarine. During a war patrol, the skipper of the Tigershark spots an enemy task force, and finds himself having to decide whether to follow his orders or leave the area, or surface and radio headquarters. When the submarine is badly damaged by a depth charge which also injures multiple crewmen, the Chief Electrician braves death by asphyxiation to get power restored to the engines, thus saving the boat and the crew.

The episode stars Robert Brown as Officer Darnell, Dick Van Patten as Lt. Tom Hadley, Terry Becker as Chief Electrician Tomkins, James (Jimmy) Ogg as Ernie Huntley, Sam Buffington as Chief Phil Wilson, Peter Miller as Lapchick, Ron Foster as Lt. Walker, Don Marzicola as Sonarman and Joe Rozar as Telephone Talker.

It’s possible the episode was created in honor of Chief Electrician’s Mate William P. Vrba, who received the Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving aboard a United States Submarine during a war patrol in enemy-controlled waters during World War II.

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