World War II Map Pays Homage To Lost Sub Crews

A priceless artifact of World War II has been discovered in an old shed in Rehoboth Beach, and the Fort Miles Historical Association is stepping in to preserve it.

Unlike the 16-inch USS Missouri gun barrel the association brought to Fort Miles two years ago, the new discovery is a massive document: a fragile, 90-square-foot map glued to the wall of a storage shed that tells the little-known story of more than 3,500 submariners who were lost at sea during World War II.

Gary Wray, president of the association, said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Henry Draper Sipple used the wall map to detail submarine battles of World War II.

“It's amazing," Wray said. "It's the map of his life and the story of submarine warfare in the Pacific.”

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