USS Dorado Challenge Coin

October 12, 1943 -- 77 Men Lost

A beautiful 1.75 inch brass coin honoring the men of World War II who gave their lives fighting for our country...

The front of the coin honors the USS Dorado SS 248. The back has the following quote:

"To the 374 officers and 3131 men of the Submarine Force who gave their lives in the winning of this war, I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who survived them took a grim toll of our savage enemy to avenge their deaths."

-Vice Admiral C.A. Lockwood, Jr. Commander Submarine Force, 1943 - 1946

About the USS Dorado...

DORADO, a newly commissioned submarine, under LCDR E. C. Schneider, sailed from New London, Connecticut, on October 6, 1943 for Panama. She did not arrive at Panama nor was she heard from at any time after sailing.

The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, in his comments concerning the Court of Inquiry covering the case, lists three possible causes for the loss of DORADO, operating casualties, enemy action, and attack by friendly forces.

The standard practice of imposing bombing restrictions within an area of fifteen miles on each side of the course of an unescorted submarine making passage in friendly waters and fifty miles ahead and one hundred miles astern of her scheduled position was carried out and all concerned were notified. A convoy was so routed as to pass through the bombing and attack restriction area surrounding DORADO on the evening of October 12, 1943, assuming correct navigation and adherence to schedule by both.

A patrol plane which was assigned by Commandant, NOB, Guantanamo to furnish air coverage on the evening of October 12, received faulty instructions as to the location of the bombing and attack restriction area surrounding DORADO and at 8:49 PM, local time, the plane delivered a surprise attack of three depth charges on an unidentified submarine. About two hours later, the plane sighted another submarine with which it attempted to exchange recognition signals without success. This submarine fired upon the plane. A German submarine was known to be operating near the scene of these two contacts.

Because of the lack of evidence, the Court of Inquiry was unable to reach definite conclusions as to the cause of the loss of DORADO.

Would make an excellent addition to your collection or for your favorite sailor! Collect the entire series!

OPTIONAL: Our Air-Tite acrylic cases provide the ultimate long-term protection for your coin. They are made of crystal clear, hard Acrylic and will never yellow over time; the foam rings are made of Volara and both are free of PVC that could damage your coin.