Last Update: November 12, 2020
November 12, 2020
A Tribute Honoring
Arizona World War II Submarine Veteran
Eugene Raymond Fausset, GM3(SS)
  
(1920-1944)
Pryor, Mayes, Oklahoma and Peoria, Maricopa, Arizona
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Eugene Raymond Fausset was born on 31 January 1921 in Pryor, Mayes County, Oklahoma to Claude Ripley and Nina Leta Colcasure Fausset. Claude made a living working as a farm laborer while he and Nina raised their five children (4 sons, 1 daughter). Eugene was the youngest of the five. At 21 years of age, Eugene married 19 year old Roseleen Ellen Walter in Maricopa County, Arizona on 20 April 1942. On 7 August 1942, Roseleen gave birth to the couple's son, Earnest Eugene. |
| On 26 April 1943, Eugene enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After he completed basic training probably in San Diego, California, he was found to have reported aboard the USS Swordfish (SS-193) on 20 December 1943. At the time, the Swordfish which had completed its 9th combat war patrol was in Brisbane, Australia on 20 September 1943 for repairs. How Fausset traveled to Australia is unknown, but, although uncertain, more than likely he traveled on a ship or another submarine. On 26 December 1944 with Fausset on board departed Brisbane for its 10th combat war patrol. Fausset remained on board Swordfish when it conducted patrols #11 and #12. On 22 December 1944 Swordfish under the command of Commander K.E. Montross departed Pearl Harbor on its #13 combat war patrol. On or about 12 January, the USS Swordfish (SS-193) with 88 men on board was lost at sea near Yaku Island (Yakushima) off Kyushu, Japan. Circumstances of its loss is unknown.
More information about Swordfish and the names of its crewmembers, go to the following links:
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| In addition to earnings his dolphins and achieving Gunner's Mate Third Class, Fausset earned the following awards: Purple Hear, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia for patrols, #10 thru #13. |
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THE U.S SUBMARINE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II MINNESOTA VIKINGS SQUADRON
PROUDLY DEDICATE THIS MEMORIAL TO THE VALIANT MEN OF THE
U.S.S. SWORDFISH SS193
SUNK BY ENEMY ACTION ON HER 13TH WAR PATROL ON JANUARY 12, 1945
AFTER SINKING 12 ENEMY SHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 47,926 TONS
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| After the loss of her husband, Roseleen remarried Lyn Houston Croff in 1959 where they raised Earnest in Peoria, Arizona. Lyn died in 1985 and Roseleen passed away in 1999. Earnest died in 1983 while living in Phoenix. |
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