Bent Spoons and Bravery

In the middle of World War II, deep beneath enemy waters, the crew of the USS Silversides faced an unimaginable challenge: an emergency appendectomy performed without a doctor, using improvised tools, and under constant threat of enemy attack.

Join us as we dive into the incredible story of Pharmacist’s Mate Thomas A. Moore, who defied the odds to save his crewmate’s life in one of the most daring medical feats in naval history.

From bent spoons as surgical tools to a harrowing depth charge escape, this episode captures the ingenuity, resilience, and courage that defined the silent service during WWII.

You won’t believe what happened next.

The USS Silversides (SS-236), a Gato-class submarine, represented the peak of naval ingenuity and resilience during World War II. Commissioned in December 1941, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the submarine quickly gained renown in the Pacific Theater, credited with sinking 23 enemy ships totaling over 90,000 tons. While its success in battle is legendary, one of its most remarkable stories is not about torpedoes or evasive maneuvers but an extraordinary act of medical improvisation deep beneath enemy waters. In December 1942, during its fourth war patrol, the crew of the Silversides faced a dire medical emergency that would test their resourcefulness and resolve.

Life aboard a World War II submarine was a study in contrasts—intense camaraderie within the claustrophobic confines of a steel hull, isolation from the world above, and the ever-present threat of discovery by enemy ships. In this high-pressure environment, medical emergencies posed unique challenges. Submarines lacked doctors, leaving the ship’s pharmacist’s mate to handle everything from routine ailments to life-threatening conditions. During this patrol, Fireman Third Class George Platter began exhibiting severe abdominal pain, nausea, and fever—classic signs of acute appendicitis. Left untreated, his condition could lead to a fatal rupture, but with no way to evacuate him to a hospital, the only option was surgery.

The responsibility fell to Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Thomas A. Moore. Though he had never performed an appendectomy, Moore’s training at the San Diego Naval Hospital had included assisting in and observing countless surgeries. His calm demeanor and confidence reassured the crew, who rallied to transform their submarine into a makeshift operating theater. The wardroom, usually reserved for meals and meetings, was scrubbed and sterilized with alcohol and boiling water. Every available surface was cleaned, and the dining table was converted into a surgical table. Improvised tools became critical; bent spoons served as retractors to hold the incision open, while a tea strainer covered in gauze functioned as an ether mask. These crude yet effective solutions reflected the ingenuity and determination of the crew, who worked tirelessly to prepare for the unthinkable.

With the submarine submerged to a depth of 120 feet to minimize motion, the operation began. Moore administered a spinal anesthetic, which initially numbed Platter from the waist down, allowing the surgery to proceed. The first incision revealed a badly inflamed appendix adhered to the colon, a complication that required delicate handling. Moore worked with precision, using his understanding of anatomy to navigate the challenge, but as the operation extended beyond its anticipated timeframe, the anesthetic began to wear off. Platter, still conscious, grimly remarked, “I can feel you pulling at my guts,” before half-jokingly requesting to be knocked unconscious. Ether was administered to continue the procedure, enabling Moore to focus on the task at hand.

The operation stretched to five grueling hours, during which the crew’s determination never wavered. Moore hunched over the table, his assistants—untrained in surgery—followed his instructions with care, and the submarine’s officers maintained morale while staying alert for potential combat threats. Finally, the appendix was successfully removed, and the incision carefully closed. Exhausted but relieved, the crew celebrated their triumph. Against impossible odds, they had saved their shipmate’s life.

Relief was short-lived. Shortly after the surgery, the Silversides surfaced to recharge its batteries but quickly detected a Japanese destroyer nearby. The submarine dove immediately, triggering a depth charge assault that rocked the vessel. The crew’s priority was protecting both the submarine and their recovering patient. Commander Creed Burlingame’s expert maneuvers and the crew’s teamwork ensured their survival, though the tension of the attack underscored the precariousness of their situation. Despite these challenges, Platter’s recovery was swift—within six days, he had returned to light duty, a testament to Moore’s skill and the resilience of the human body.

The appendectomy aboard the Silversides was not an isolated event. Earlier that year, similar surgeries had been performed aboard the USS Seadragon and USS Grayback, where pharmacist’s mates also relied on ingenuity and courage to save lives. These incidents highlighted the critical role of these medical personnel in the unforgiving conditions of submarine warfare. However, the Navy’s leadership was initially less supportive. The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery discouraged such operations, fearing potential complications and legal liabilities. Moore himself faced criticism from some medical officers upon returning to port, though the admiration of his crewmates and the success of his efforts ultimately prevailed.

The story of the Silversides appendectomy is more than a tale of medical improvisation—it is a testament to the resourcefulness, courage, and resilience of submariners. It demonstrates the extraordinary lengths to which people will go to protect and save one another, even in the direst circumstances. The USS Silversides went on to earn 12 battle stars and become one of the most successful submarines of World War II. Today, it serves as a museum ship in Muskegon, Michigan, preserved as a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can walk its decks and learn of the bravery and ingenuity that defined its legacy, including the incredible story of an emergency surgery conducted against all odds. Moore’s actions, supported by the unwavering commitment of his crew, remain a powerful symbol of the human spirit’s ability to triumph in the face of adversity.