Destroyer Arare

Arare was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 5 March 1937, launched 16 November 1937, and commissioned 15 April 1939. She was the tenth and last ship of the Asashio class, displacing about 2,000 tons standard. Arare sailed with the Kido Butai for the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, guarding the fleet tankers that accompanied the carriers, and in June 1942 escorted the troop convoy at the Battle of Midway. Following Midway, she was sent to the Aleutian Islands, escorting the seaplane carrier Chiyoda on a supply run to newly occupied Kiska. On 5 July 1942, about seven nautical miles east of Kiska, Arare was attacked by the American submarine USS Growler (SS-215) commanded by Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Gilmore. A torpedo from Growler struck Arare amidships; she blew up and sank with the loss of 104 men, while 42 survivors were rescued. The destroyers Kasumi and Shiranui were badly damaged in the same attack. She was one of very few Japanese destroyers lost in the Aleutian campaign.