The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas B. Dabney. Dabney wanted to go to the Naval Academy, but was denied entry as a second alternate. Undaunted, he enlisted in the Navy, working toward receiving an appointment to the Academy from the ranks, which he achieved in May 1932, after serving aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). He graduated from the Academy in 1936 and served aboard surface ships: USS New York (BB-34), USS Chester (CA-27), USS Indianapolis (CA-35). During this period, Dabney befriended Joe Rochefort. In May, 1940, he was transferred to the USS Bernadou (DD-153) and began escorting supplies across the Atlantic to Iceland. Dabney was assigned to submarine school in September, 1941 and was graduated early after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the Pacific Fleet in January 1942. At first, he was assigned to the USS Pompano (SS-181), but was in the hospital when it sailed. He instead boarded the USS Plunger (SS-179) and describes some of its war patrols while he was aboard. In May, 1944, Dabney was assigned to the USS Becuna (SS-319) before being called to command the USS Guitarro (SS-363) in December in Fremantle, Australia. After the war, Dabney remained aboard submarines until 1948 when he attended staff college. He retired in 1961.