12. Submarines performed rescues of another kind during the war
On February 3, 1942, USS Trout arrived in the Philippines, bearing a cargo of ammunition for the besieged defenders of Corregidor. After offloading its cargo, Trout took aboard 20 tons of gold bars and silver Philippine pesos, listed as ballast on the manifest. It also loaded aboard classified papers from the State Department, securities, mail, and other items too critical to be allowed to be captured by the Japanese. Trout submerged in Manila Bay, waiting out the daylight hours before surfacing at nightfall to take on additional documents and mail. The submarine then began its journey back to Pearl Harbor, carrying with it most of the gold owned by the Philippines.
Despite the value and critical nature of its cargo, Trout did not avoid combat action during the return voyage. Trout engaged at least three ships, sinking two, and narrowly avoided being hit by two torpedoes during actions on the return voyage. The submarine arrived in Pearl Harbor in early March, and transferred the gold, silver, and other cargo to a light cruiser, which conveyed it to safe-keeping in the United States. In addition to other awards, the crew of the Trout received a Distinguished Service Cross from the United States Army for their conduct of the mission. Trout did not survive the war, being lost on its 11th war patrol in early 1944.