1942 USCGC Icarus versus U-352 in torpedo alley, Updated episode

During the "Second Happy Time" in the spring of 1942 a converted Coast Guard Cutter takes on a Type VIIC U-Boat in torpedo alley. The story of the first German POWs taken by American forces in the Second World War deserves to be remembered.

Note: The "First Happy Time" represented the period of attacking British shipping from July - October 1940.

This updated History Guy episode contains these changes based on viewer comments: Includes more discussion of United States' policy (or lack thereof) in the first months of the war. Properly pronounces the word "Boatswain." Added more pictures of the U-352 crew after capture.

The History Guy uses images that are in the Public Domain. As photos of actual events are sometimes not available, I will often use photographs of similar events and objects for illustration.

The History Guy: Five Minutes of History is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.

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The episode is intended for educational purposes. All events are presented in historical context. The episode includes photographs and film from the Second World War but no graphic images of death.

This episode was taped before The History Guy decided to wear bow ties in every video. The tie belonged to my wife's grandfather. He was someone who deserves to be remembered.

#militaryhistory #wwii #thehistoryguy

[johnallen]

I was in the Coast Guard in the 70s and was on a buoy tender that was built in the 30s. It also was 165 feet long. I was told that it was an ammunition carrier in WWII since it had a crane on it. We went from Canada down to about Boston setting and replacing marker buoys. On the West Coast on a Cutter we often went out 200 miles or more and it can get bumpy. I also did not know about this battle but we were taught a lot of history, including the Sullivan brothers in WWII. The CG only had about 50, 000 men when I was in, compared to a million or so in the Army. When you're trained well, which we were, you go on autopilot in an emergency. You simply do what you've been taught to do. Each man has a job to do and does it. Now I'm happy to say there are plenty of women in the CG, doing the same jobs that only men used to do. But we trained all the time with the Navy in war games.

[Travelguy_nw]

Thank you for this piece of history. Maurice Jester is my great grandfather whom I am also named after. Mr. Rathke had written a letter to my great grandfather after the war and thanked him for his kindness and respect that he had showed to him and his crew after sinking the u boat. This video has given me some more insight as to what happened on that day. Thank you again for keeping history alive!

[mikeingham]

It was an honor to have you at the commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester yesterday, Friday, June 2, 2023. Thank you for sharing your research with us.
-CMC Mike Ingham, USCG D1

[jamest]

I did a scuba dive on this u-boat it's only 110 feet deep water off the coast of Morehead city NC..a memorable experience!

[j.a.]

I am a former USN submariner and work at Veterans Affairs hospital. I personally met a Coast Guard veteran who served during that time period on board a converted sailboat. He stated that it was with depth charges and a deck gun. He also stated it was made of wood. They would patrol under sail power making them very difficult to detect. I wish I could remember what those sailboats were called, but I just can't recall. The gentleman was 95 years old and his mind was clear as a young man. He transferred to a another hospital last year. Your account brought him back the memory of the encounter.

[vlmellody]

Excellent story! As an Air Force brat, I have always enjoyed military history of most kinds. Your retelling of that battle and what lead up to it was exhilarating and fascinating! 👏 Very well done!

[sambrewer]

By far my favorite history short. My grandfather was a survivor of a coast guard cutter (Hampton). I have learned a lot of great history from ur channel. Thank you.

[sidcoarchaeologicaldivevid]

In March-May 1942, my Mama, Rita Salter, watched almost a sinking per night from her bedroom window. She lived about 100 yards from our present home in Atlantic, NC. Every morning, her and my Granny, Vida Salter, had to clean the house after the blast of the torpedoes impacted the shoreline from the night before. Pictures had to be straightened and dust fell from the rafters. My cousins spent the mornings collecting the dead merchant marine heroes from the Outer Banks and shoals just inside Old Drum Inlet. At that time there was six to eight inches of oil and sludge covering the entire Outer Banks from sunken ships. Eventually, nature cleaned up the oil by itself.
My dive team works on those same shipwrecks today!

[vwpatton]

One of my most fascinating stories of our Coast Guard's performance during World War II! Thanks History Guy for remembering the USCGC ICARUS & LCDR Maurice Jester! SEMPER PARATUS! Vince Patton, MCPOCG, USCG Ret.

[georgepaulfarris]

History Guy, your rendering of the inspiring tale of the Icarus, its' captain, and crew has to be one of your best — and that's saying a lot! The Icarus should be required reading in all the maritime schools and academies. Thank God for blessing us with such men.

[gregmead]

By this time, I'm finding absolutely new stories of WWII to be rare. This was one of them. Thanks!

[waveranger]

As a retired Coast Guard CWO3 I really enjoyed the excellent re-telling of this account. Well done, sir

[jimdipreta]

I have made several dives on the U-352. It is an amazing step back into history. I really enjoyed your presentation, even though I already knew the story of the Icarus and the U-352. I would suggest the sinking of the U-701 also off the coast of North Carolina as a subject for your channel. I love your videos please keep them coming.

[johnnydeville]

Great video! My grandfather was US Navy and then retired from the Coast Guard as a captain. It is because of him I have a deepened love of the US Navy and the USCG. GO Coasties!

[kinte]

The only thing I dislike about your stories is that they aren't long enough. Some of us can listen to you tell History for hours.

[josephhuddle]

My father was a machinist’s mate on the Icarus when it sank U 352. Collecting the corpses of the enemy affected my father so much that he put in a request for shore duty. He only spoke of this to my mother. Wartime accounts were absent in our home.

[davehoward]

Thanks for a great story about the often forgotten US Coast Guard. I remember seeing something about the Icarus decades ago in a book or something, but didn't know the full story til now. Outstanding, thank you! USCG vet 1987-2017.

[Randoman]

Thanks History Guy - true stories are the best stories, and you have thousands!
This is my favorite channel on YouTube - Keep up the good work! 😎🥂😎

[Sharpbevel]

As a retired Coast Guard officer I really enjoyed this bit of USCG history I never heard of previously. Thank you.

[sarahmusk]

Lance - you must be the best History teacher ever. Your topics are so varied and interesting and you are a true story teller. I had a History teacher like you many years ago and I always remember how she told us the story of the discovery of Tutankamun's tomb - it was riveting and I have never forgotten it. She had a rare talent - as do you.