Dudley Walker Morton

Dudley Walker Morton, known as "Mushmouth" or "Mush", was a highly successful submarine commander in the United States Navy during World War II. He is most renowned for his command of the USS Wahoo (SS-238), which he skippered from its third through seventh war patrols. Under his aggressive and innovative leadership, the Wahoo became one of the most celebrated American submarines of the conflict.

During Morton's tenure as commander, the USS Wahoo established an impressive combat record, sinking at least 19 Japanese ships. This achievement made the Wahoo the top-scoring submarine in the U.S. fleet at that time and cemented Morton's reputation as one of the war's premier submarine aces. His bold tactics were instrumental in developing the operational doctrine for the U.S. Submarine Force.

In October 1943, while returning from a successful patrol in the Sea of Japan, the USS Wahoo was lost with all hands during a transit of the heavily patrolled La Pérouse Strait. Commander Morton and his entire crew were listed as missing and were legally declared deceased three years later. His legacy endures as a symbol of the courage, skill, and sacrifice of the American submariners who served in the Pacific theater.