William John Millican was a decorated submarine commander in the United States Navy during World War II. Commander Millican was twice awarded the Navy Cross, but was presumed killed in action when the submarine he was commanding, the USS Escolar, was overdue and presumed lost.

USS Thresher (SS-200) was the most decorated United States Navy submarine of World War II, with 15 battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation. Thresher was the third of twelve Tambor-class submarines that were commissioned. All twelve fought in the war, and she was one of five to survive it.