James Stuart Launders | |
|---|---|
 Lt J S Launders DSC RN, on commissioning of Venturer at Holy Loch, 20 August 1943 (IWM A18834) | |
| Nickname(s) | Jimmy |
| Born | 1919 |
| Died | 1988 (aged 69) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1938–1974 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | HMS Venturer |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | DSO and Bar DSC and Bar |
Captain James Stuart Launders, DSO & Bar, DSC & Bar, ADC (1919–1988), was an officer in the Royal Navy during and after the Second World War. He retired from the service in 1974, but continued to serve in an unofficial capacity on training programs until his death in 1988.[1] In addition to his reputation amongst his crew, colleagues, and historians as a brilliant, highly skilled, and courageous officer, Launders is remembered as the only submarine commander in history to have engaged and sunk an enemy submarine (U-864) using only his own unaided vessel (HMS Venturer) while both boats were fully submerged.[2]