In this personal account, an authentic American hero relives the perils and triumphs of eight harrowing patrols aboard one of America's most successful World War II submarines. Courageous deeds and terror-filled moments -- as well as the endless hard work of maintaining and operating a combat sub -- are vividly recalled in James Calvert's candid portrait. Fromr rigorous training and shakedown cruises off the coast of New England, to tense patrols within shooting distance of Japan's major cities, the progress of the newly conditioned USS Jack parallels Calvert's own growth from callow ensign to charter member of one of the sharpest attack teams in the fleet. In June 1943, the Jack made its first patrol into Japanese waters, and Calvert begins to build a reputation as a crack TDC operator -- the crew member who set the torpedo's course based on the approacjh officer's readings. With Calvert at the TDC and his much admired skipper Tommy Dykers at the periscope, the Jack had five hits and four confirmed kills on the first patrol. The Jack's fame grew. Despite recurring engine trouble, and the notorious failure of American torpedo detonators early in the war, the sub continued to take its toll on enemy shipping. At one point, Calvert hit an enemy vessel at 5,000 yards, roughly three times the maximum distance recommended for accurate torpedo shooting. The ship earned its nickname, "Jack the Pack" when a besieged Japanese admiral radioed for help, saying he was under attack by a "wolf pack".