On 12 November 2020, Paul W. Wittmer, also known by his web name as SubvetPaul, died at home as were his wishes. Survived by Eleanor, wife of 68 years, 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. He was active in two prominent Submarine Veteran organizations and served as a commandant of the Submarine Veterans of World War II. He wrote a six volume set, United States Submarine Men Lost During World War II, the product of more than 30 years of research trips to the National Archives. He was presented with awards as a master researcher from the Archives. He also published a compilation of stories from WWII crew members about their war patrols, called Big Anthology. These were stories compiled over many years while he was editor of his submarine's newsletter, Tinosa Blatt. His final publication is Spyron. It features Kit Parsons of Philippine guerrilla resistance fame, and America's spy who set up the coastal watch, supplied fighters using dedicated American subs, and rescued hundreds of civilians from certain death by Japanese forces. 

His Honor flight took place a few years ago when he was still able to stand. Recently he told his son Gary that he could not count the number of depth charge attacks his boat, USS Tinosa, had been through. "Too many to count" he said. In hindsight, 78 years of PTSD kept under wraps can explain a lot for this family. Much of his military duty being sworn to secrecy, the same was true of his personal life.  He was one of the few sailors chosen for the prize crew to bring the captured Japanese Imperial Submarine I-401 from Tokyo to Honolulu. See him in the documentary, Japanese SuperSub at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEdu2avMDQI&t=1929s.

Paul was the primary contributor of information and photos for this website. We miss him and his unerring dedication to the men of the U.S. Submarine Force.

Comments by Gary Wittmer, Paul's son, and Charles Hinman.

 

 

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