Odd things happen in war, both heroic and tragic...I thought it might be appropriate to start a thread where they can be assembled...

We'll start with the story of why a US Navy Commander was ordered to face court martial for the act of sinking a Japanese ship in the western Pacific with torpedoes during WWII while commanding the operation of his submarine on combat patrol...
Commander Loughlin was found guilty of negligence, and the U.S. Government offered, via neutral Switzerland to replace the Awa Maru with a similar ship. Japan demanded full indemnification.
Commander Loughlin took full responsibility for his actions and accepted the sentence of the court, which included preclusion by Admiral Ernest King from any future command assignments...He resumed his naval career until his retirement as Rear Admiral after 35 years of continuous service, eventually including several more sea commands...

He is buried at the US Naval Academy cemetery...The Awa Maru still lies on the bottom carrying it's cargo of contraband......Ben