10. Lifeguard duties became an important role for American submarines
As it became apparent that the major fleet actions of the Pacific War hinged on aerial combat, the need to recover pilots forced to ditch their planes at sea emerged. American industry replaced aircraft in short order. Lost pilots presented another problem. It took many months for the Navy to train replacement pilots, and additional time for them to develop combat experience. Submarines offered a solution for recovering lost pilots. Their stealth allowed them to be pre-positioned before major actions, and radio communications helped them locate and recover aircrew which were forced to bail out or ditch their aircraft, on islands and in the sea.
Rescued airmen typically remained in the submarine once major engagements ended, and the submarine was repurposed as a hunter tasked with finding and sinking crippled enemy ships. The submariners referred to their guests as “zoomies”. Enlisted aircrew messed and slept in the crew’s quarters. Officers were guests in the wardroom. They remained with the sub until it either rendezvoused with a larger surface unit or returned to port. There they found themselves eligible for survivors leave, a temporary respite from combat. During the Pacific War, American submarines rescued over 500 downed airmen, in many instances under direct Japanese fire.