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The heroic tale of the crew of the AM-15 is also the final chapter (#24) of an excellent book by W. G. Winslow about those early days of WWII as the Asiatic Fleet tried in vain to halt the onslaught of the Japanese conquests after Pearl Harbor:
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"The Fleet the Gods Forgot"
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The epic journey of Quail's crew of escape is just one of many adventurous tales in this book about overcoming adversity by sailors set adrift as the allies lacked resources to respond to, much less confront, the Japanese foe: including that of a future CNO (then LT Thomas Moorer), the USS Houston (CA-30), the loss of the US's first aircraft carrier USS Langley (CV-1) and the little known patrol ship USS Isabel (PY-10)... among others.
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Highly recommended for anyone interested in US Naval history
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there is a book titled "Laughter In Hell". it was written shortly after the war by a fellow that survived the bataan march. he was shipped to japan and with many other prisoners was forced to load and unload ships in one of the japanese harbors.
he made it all the way through.
i read the book about 1953 or so.
it had all of the details and now should be a very interesting read.
C
I first read about this in Winslow's book.
I don't understand why the USN of the day didn't showcase his remarkable achievement any more than it did. Perhaps there was just the overriding desire to push the debacle of the Asiatic Fleets' demise as far into the background as possible.
It certainly is a great tale.
Somewhere on the web I found an account that after then Cdr. Morrill got back to CONUS his detailer was going to offering him some plum jobs back in subs. At the risk of his carrer, he turned them down and went back to the small stuff.
Did some remarkable things in that world too...but you already know that 
Looking forward to a future Sunday post!
I loved reading these tales from the South Pacific, thirty years ago. It inspired me to do a twenty year career in the Naval service. I even sailed across an ocean on a small sailing vessel.
The one point I want to make is this;
In today's zero defect allowed world, if someone was to scuttle his vessel and leave with a portion of his crew, under fire, would probably get the focused interest of a board of inquiry and a possible article 32.
If only to protect the careers of lesser Men in higher positions.
Depressing.
Glen Swisher was a friend who survived the trip to Darwin. Glen retired as a CWO4 USN. Lived in Virginia Beach, VA till his death. Glen was an engine wizzard who overhauled the diesel engine and worked hard, like everyone on that launch. Lived to stay a career sailor.
His wife Wanda still lives in Virginia Beach, VA.
i enjoyed the storys first hand growing up from my grandfather who was one of the eightteen on the boat i still enjoy having him tell me of the time he spent there
I am the grandson of John Morrill. I can attest that he did, later in the war, return to the Philippines leading a group of small shore-bombardment craft. Upon his retirement, he was promoted to a rear admiral. He passed about ten or so years ago peacefully.
Winslow's book is a very good read, and some of the comments above are dead on. Great bravery was shown by a great number of men using out of date equipment, in the face of extreme odds. I suspect part of the reason that more was not made of the deeds of these men was, at the time, the military leadership was being shaken up, spy hysteria was running rampent (as evidenced by the arrest of Americans of Japanese decent who's only crime it was to live near the cost), and whatever press blackouts (self imposed or otherwise) may have been effect to avoid defeatism. In this day where heroes are made of men who's only skill is sinking a ball and who's only hardship is the occasional requirement to practice, we sure can use reminders of the efforts of the "greatest generation".
Unbelievable story. Just got the original diary of Morrill during his journey. Now housed at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, VA.
Very good details. I also own the book(very hard to buy) My Great Uncle was on this boat and mention in the book a number of times. Thanks for the link to the picture.. didnt have it.
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