Operation Teardrop: U.S. Navy's Mission to Prevent German Submarine Rocket Attacks on New York City
DEFENSE
As World War II drew to a close, the U.S. Navy launched Operation Teardrop to counter the perceived threat of German U-boats armed with V-1 rockets targeting New York City. The operation resulted in the sinking of five German submarines but also led to the loss of the USS Frederick C.
Davis, marking the last American warship sunk in the Atlantic with 126 casualties. Subsequent analysis revealed that the intelligence regarding Germany's rocket capabilities was unreliable, underscoring the significance of naval operations and signals intelligence during the war.
Jan 20, 2026, 1:58 PM
