March Anson and Scoot Bailey of the U.S. Navy

In Short

This novel follows two inseparable friends, March Anson and Scoot Bailey, as they transition from surface combat to their respective dreams: March as a submariner and Scoot as a Navy flier. After proving their mettle on a destroyer, the duo separates for intensive training before reuniting through the fortunes of war. The book serves as a snapshot of the period’s naval culture, emphasizing the camaraderie, technical discipline, and immense danger facing young men in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War.

The Story

The narrative begins on the deck of the Plymouth, where March and Scoot receive commendations for gallantry. Despite their desire to stay with their ship, the Navy recognizes their potential for leadership and grants their requests for specialized training. March heads to New London for submarine school, where he masters navigation, engine mechanics, and the intricacies of the "pigboat." Meanwhile, Scoot heads to flight school to pursue his ambition of becoming a Navy pilot.

Their paths diverge completely as they immerse themselves in their respective crafts. March survives the rigorous physical and psychological testing required for submariners, learning to navigate underwater with precision and operate complex machinery under extreme pressure. He meets Stan Bigelow, a fellow officer who becomes his close confidant. Together, they are assigned to the Kamongo, a sleek, modern submarine commanded by the capable Larry Gray. As the Kamongo prepares for its maiden patrol, the crew maintains a high state of readiness, practicing drills that prepare them for the looming reality of depth charges and enemy contact.

Scoot’s journey is equally fraught with danger. As a pilot operating from a carrier, he participates in surprise raids against enemy airfields, witnessing the sheer scale of the naval war from the cockpit. Eventually, his plane is downed near a remote island, leaving him stranded and forced to survive in isolation. Through a twist of fate, the Kamongo is patrolling the area where Scoot has crashed. March and his crew, acting on intelligence, locate the downed pilot.

The climax centers on the discovery of a massive Japanese convoy. Scoot, having gathered critical intelligence before his crash, is rescued by the Kamongo and delivers the vital information. His report triggers a coordinated offensive; the submarine broadcasts the convoy's position, and the subsequent attack allows allied forces to strike at the enemy. The story concludes with the crew successfully finding the convoy and preparing for the final, decisive engagement, cementing the friendship between the two men as they serve the war effort in their distinct but complementary roles.

How It Unfolds

The transition begins. March and Scoot leave the Plymouth to pursue their specialized training, marking the end of their time as junior surface sailors. They look forward to learning the skills necessary to become effective leaders in the Navy’s most demanding branches.

The school of the submarine. March navigates the grueling psychological and technical hurdles of New London. He learns the mechanics of the Momsen Lung for escape and the importance of engine maintenance, quickly becoming a competent officer under the tutelage of veteran submariners.

Into the patrol. March and his friend Stan join the crew of the Kamongo, where they settle into the rhythm of life on a submarine. They spend their days practicing for combat and their nights dreaming of the action that lies ahead, unaware of the specific mission awaiting them.

The pilot’s ordeal. Scoot faces the harsh realities of aerial combat, eventually crashing his plane on a lonely island. He uses his ingenuity to stay alive while hoping for a rescue that seems increasingly unlikely in the vastness of the Pacific.

The reunion and the target. The Kamongo locates Scoot just as the submarine is beginning its hunt. Upon being brought aboard, Scoot provides the coordinates for the enemy convoy, and the crew prepares for the final, coordinated attack that will decide their fate.

The People

March Anson is the anchor of the story. Solidly built and intellectually sharp, he approaches his training with a mixture of professional seriousness and a genuine passion for the inner workings of submarines. He is a natural navigator who finds purpose in the technical challenges of the "pigboat" and maintains a steady hand under pressure.

Scoot Bailey is the impulsive, spirited counterpart to March. An eager flier, he represents the adventurous edge of the Navy. Despite the trauma of crashing his plane and his subsequent injuries, he retains his resolve and the ability to think clearly enough to secure the intel that saves the mission.

Stan Bigelow serves as March's loyal comrade and the emotional sounding board for the submarine crew. His transition from a junior officer to a seasoned veteran mirrors the growth of the crew itself.

Larry Gray, the captain of the Kamongo, acts as the mentor to both March and Stan. He is calm and decisive, possessing the quiet authority required to command a vessel in enemy waters. His leadership is defined by his trust in his crew and his focus on the strategic necessity of the mission.

In Its Own Voice

“She was a swell ship,” Scoot said sadly.

Reflecting on their departure from the Plymouth, Scoot expresses the genuine affection sailors often feel for the vessels that have carried them through the dangers of war.

“Navigation’s been my main job so far.”

Discussing his responsibilities with his friend Stan, March highlights his dedication to his craft and the importance of his role in ensuring the submarine’s safety.

“Money belt—convoy.”

Upon his dramatic rescue, Scoot provides the crucial, fragmented intelligence that shifts the course of the mission and alerts the submarine crew to their target.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the necessity of technical mastery and the value of professional teamwork in the face of modern warfare. It argues that success in the U.S. Navy is not just about individual heroism, but about the seamless integration of different specialties—aviation, navigation, and engineering—to achieve a common goal. The narrative emphasizes that a leader is defined by "spontaneously clear thinking" under duress rather than mere bravado. Ultimately, it is a story about the transition from the excitement of initial combat to the disciplined, patient expertise required to fight a long-term, systemic conflict against a determined enemy.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate mid-century military fiction will find this a fascinating look at the period's cultural values and technical jargon. The book carries the distinct, earnest tone of 1944, reflecting the urgency and patriotic resolve of a nation at war. It is particularly striking for its detailed descriptions of submarine life, from the operation of the Momsen Lung to the sound-detection arrays that were cutting-edge at the time.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-typical, often blunt characterizations of the enemy, which are typical of literature produced during the heat of the conflict. The prose is fast-paced and uncomplicated, focusing heavily on procedural accuracy and the mechanics of the machinery. While some of the dialogue can feel overly formal or stiff by today's standards, the sense of camaraderie between March and Scoot provides a warm, human center to the story. This book is best suited for those interested in the history of naval technology and the "Fighters for Freedom" spirit that defined the juvenile adventure literature of the 1940s. It provides an immersive, if occasionally idealized, glimpse into the life of the "silent service."