Donald Lewis Keplinger
Submarine USS Grayling SS-209
Loss Date September 9, 1943
Location In or near Tablas Strait, Philippine Islands
Circumstances Lost at sea, cause unknown
Grayling began her eighth and last war patrol in July 1943 from Fremantle, Australia but was not heard from again after 9 September 1943. Grayling was officially reported lost with all hands 30 september 1943, after having recorded five major kills totaling 20,575 tons. Even today, the exact cause of the loss of Grayling is unknown, but on 9 September 1943, Japanese passenger-cargo vessel Hokuan Mary reported a submarine in shallow water west of Luzon. The ship made a run over the area and noted an impact with a submerged object. It is assumed the object was Grayling. The submarine was scheduled to make a radio report on the 12th, which she did not, and all attempts to contact her failed.USS Grayling (SS-209) was lost with 76 officers and men.
Father: Mr. Everette Ray Keplinger, Erwin, Tennessee.
- Rank: Radioman Third Class
- Date of birth: 5 April 1923
- Date of death: 9 September 1943
- County: Unicoi
- Hometown: Erwin
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Grayling (SS-209)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Top Panel
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