Out in the western Pacific on July 14, 1945, the crew of USS Gabilan SS-252, wasn’t dodging torpedoes or depth charges. They weren’t firing off salvos or hunting enemy shipping lanes. They were quietly holding their station as part of a mission every bit as important—plane guarding. Their job was to watch the skies for B-29s, those massive bombers roaring toward Japan, and be ready to rescue any airman forced to ditch at sea. It wasn’t as dramatic as sinking a convoy, but if you were the one floating in a life raft, you’d be glad someone like Gabilan was out there.

And then, out of nowhere, fire broke out inside the sub.