The USS Dorado Project

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Main Page The Submarine The Crew Photographs The Loss Scenario The Myths Martin PBM Mariner Research Documents


Welcome to The USS Dorado Project!!

This is a new site dedicated to telling the complete story of the loss of the WWII submarine USS Dorado (SS-248) 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.

Project Goals

● Find her 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.
● Work with the U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command to establish safeguards that will ensure that the wreck site, if discovered, is not disturbed.
● 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.

Project Staff

Thaddeus Weaver

David Johnston

DCC(SS/SW) David L. "Dave" Johnston, USN (Ret.) is a native of Michigan and first joined the Navy in September, 1983. Over the course of a 21-year career Chief Johnston served on the USS Darter (SS-576), four Mine Countermeasures ships, and the USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98). He has been on the staffs of Navy Operational Support Centers (aka Navy Reserve Centers) in Des Moines IA, Brunswick ME, Rochester NY, Battle Creek MI, and on the staff of the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath ME. He has made four overseas deployments to Japan and the western Pacific, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. He retired from active duty in August, 2019.

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 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

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