TODAY: Noon-1:00 on WYPR

The US Navy sub Tang was one of the deadliest of World War II, having a long run of success against Japanese vessels in the Pacific. But when the sub sank in 180 feet of water off the coast of Taiwan in October 1944, half of its crew died instantly. The rest were trapped in an "iron coffin." A few, including a sailor from Baltimore, escaped and managed to swim to the surface -- the first and only time American submariners were able to self-rescue. One amazing story, as told by Escape From the Deep author Alex Kershaw. Listen for the interview after the news at noon.