The USS Dorado Project: Difference between revisions
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==<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#000000"><big>Welcome to The USS Dorado Project!!</big></span>== | ==<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#000000"><big>Welcome to The USS Dorado Project!!</big></span>== | ||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">This is a new site dedicated to telling the complete story of the WWII submarine USS Dorado (SS-248), and detailing the circumstances of her unfortunate loss in 1943. We will present our case as to what we believe happened to the Dorado, and will close out many of the myths that are out there concerning her loss. A major part of this project concerns our development of a comprehensive scenario in which we can describe her likely final resting place. We will also have photographs, charts, graphs, and other pertinent information. There will be a page dedicated to the crew, so that you will have a sense for who these men were, and what their loss meant to their families.<br><br> | <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">This is a new site dedicated to telling the complete story of the WWII submarine USS Dorado (SS-248), and detailing the circumstances of her unfortunate loss in 1943. We will present our case as to what we believe happened to the Dorado, and will close out many of the myths that are out there concerning her loss. A major part of this project concerns our development of a comprehensive scenario in which we can describe her likely final resting place. We will also have photographs, charts, graphs, and other pertinent information. There will be a page dedicated to the crew, so that you will have a sense for who these men were, and what their loss meant to their families. | ||
This site was created on a PC with the screen resolution set to 2560x1440 at 125% scale. It is fully functional on any device, inclduing mobile devices, but be aware that viewing it on smaller screens or at lower resolutions may result in the software readjusting how the content is arranged and formatted. All of the site's pages are linked in the information bar immediately below the header at the top of each page.<br><br> | |||
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==<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#000000"><big>Project Staff</big></span>== | <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#000000"> | ||
==<big>Origins of the USS Dorado Project</big>== | |||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">Thaddeus Weaver, David Johnston and Stephen Katona met for the first time in September of 2023 at the U.S. Navy's [https://ussnautilus.org/ '''Submarine Force Library & Museum'''] in Groton, CT during a Memorial Service for the crew of submarine USS Albacore (SS-218). Albacore was lost during the Second World War and was discovered in May of 2022 by Dr. Tamaki Ura off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. Thaddeus, Dave and Steve were volunteers for this event which sought to honor the sacrifice of the crew and to provide closure to the family members. It was a moving experience, as loved ones shared memories and told stories passed down to them about the crew members lost on the Albacore. | |||
At the close of the Memorial Service, Thaddeus shared his own two year passion project with Steve and Dave; carefully researched theories regarding the disappearance of another of the 52 U.S. submarines lost during WWII, the USS Dorado. Asking for their review of his conclusions as subject matter experts, the vision was cast that day for holding a similar memorial service one day for the crew of the Dorado upon her discovery. | |||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#000000"> | |||
==<big>Project Staff</big></span>== | |||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#000000"> | <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#000000"> | ||
===Thaddeus Weaver - Project Manager=== | ===Thaddeus Weaver - Project Manager=== | ||
[[File:Thaddeus Profile Pic.jpg|left|200px]]<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">Thaddeus Weaver grew up in the 80's and 90's living coast-to-coast as the son of a U.S. Navy submariner. He has lived in Rhode Island since 1996, and graduated from the New England Institute of Technology in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Video and Audio Production. Developing his career as a technician at AV production companies and later self-employed as a freelance videographer and editor, he's been a Multimedia Specialist as a government contractor at the Naval War College in Newport, RI since 2019. A lifelong avid reader of the Second World War, he is the Content Creator of the Naval Intrigue YouTube channel and has published researched documentaries on naval stories of interest.<br><br><br><br> | [[File:Thaddeus Profile Pic.jpg|left|200px]]<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">Thaddeus Weaver grew up in the 80's and 90's living coast-to-coast as the son of a U.S. Navy submariner. He has lived in Rhode Island since 1996, and graduated from the New England Institute of Technology in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Video and Audio Production. Developing his career as a technician at AV production companies and later self-employed as a freelance videographer and editor, he's been a Multimedia Specialist as a government contractor at the Naval War College in Newport, RI since 2019. A lifelong avid reader of the Second World War, he is the Content Creator of the Naval Intrigue YouTube channel and has published researched documentaries on naval stories of interest.<br><br><br><br><br> | ||
Revision as of 21:15, 17 June 2025

Main Page | Latest News & Updates | The Submarine | The Crew | Photographs | The Loss Scenario | The Aircraft | Case for the Purple Heart | The Myths | Research Documents |


Welcome to The USS Dorado Project!!
This site was created on a PC with the screen resolution set to 2560x1440 at 125% scale. It is fully functional on any device, inclduing mobile devices, but be aware that viewing it on smaller screens or at lower resolutions may result in the software readjusting how the content is arranged and formatted. All of the site's pages are linked in the information bar immediately below the header at the top of each page.

Goals & Principles
● Find Dorado's final resting place and provide photographic and video documentation of the wreck to the greatest extent possible.
● Develop a comprehensive loss scenario using information gathered from the photo and video documentation.
● Dispel the rumors and myths surrounding Dorado's loss, leaving only facts and well-founded hypotheses.
● Work with the U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command to establish safeguards that will ensure that the wreck site will not be disturbed by future expeditions.
● Properly honor the dedication and sacrifice of her crew and provide closure to the families and the United States Navy.
● Provide impetus to the effort to secure the Purple Heart medal for her crew.

Origins of the USS Dorado Project
At the close of the Memorial Service, Thaddeus shared his own two year passion project with Steve and Dave; carefully researched theories regarding the disappearance of another of the 52 U.S. submarines lost during WWII, the USS Dorado. Asking for their review of his conclusions as subject matter experts, the vision was cast that day for holding a similar memorial service one day for the crew of the Dorado upon her discovery.
Project Staff
Thaddeus Weaver - Project Manager


David Johnston - Submarine Historian
His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “M” device, and a COMSUBGRU 7 Letter of Commendation. Chief Johnston is Qualified in Submarines and Surface Warfare.
During a break in service in the 1990’s, he worked in the travel, security, and retail industries.
Dave is a published historian, author, and technical consultant on submarine history for aspiring authors. He is a co-founder and webmaster of PigBoats.COM, a submarine history website and a passion for him since 2001. He volunteers his time as an independent researcher for the Naval History & Heritage Command and was part of the team that identified the wreckage of the USS Albacore (SS-218) in 2023 and the USS Harder (SS-257) in 2024. He has contributed research and analysis to the discoveries of five other lost USN submarines. He is active in the Hampton Roads Base of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. He resides in Norfolk, VA with his wife Theresa. He is a proud father and grandfather and an avid world traveler.

Stephen Katona - Search Area Development/Document Research


Page created by:
Thaddeus Weaver & David Johnston
©2025 - Thaddeus Weaver & PigBoats.COM
West Warwick, RI, Norfolk, VA
ussdoradoproject@gmail.com
