Character Relationship Map: Up Periscope

Characters

• Lt. J. G. Kenneth M. Braden (played by James Garner) — protagonist

  A Navy lieutenant whose classified work keeps him from sharing details of his future with Sally Johnson. After spending time with her, he is recalled to duty aboard the Barracuda for a dangerous recon...

• Commander Paul Stevenson (played by Edmond O'Brien) — supporting

  Submarine commander tasked with transporting Braden to Kusaie. His crew's morale is low following an unnecessary death. He attempts to write a self-accusing letter to protect Braden, though it is lost...

• Sally Johnson (played by Andra Martin) — supporting

  A woman who spends time with Braden after a dangerous patrol leaves a sailor badly injured. She wants to learn more about his life and what lies ahead, but he explains that his work is classified and...

• Lt. Pat Malone (played by Alan Hale Jr.) — supporting

  A lieutenant serving aboard the Barracuda who jokes with the women he is leaving behind as the crew prepares for its assignment. During the mission, news arrives that he has been promoted. His fellow...

• Lt. Phil Carney (played by Carleton Carpenter) — supporting

  A lieutenant aboard the Barracuda who is killed when enemy fire damages the submarine during its reconnaissance mission. His death adds to the crew’s losses and distress as flooding threatens the boat...

• Pharmacist Mate Ash (played by Edd Byrnes) — supporting

  A pharmacist mate serving aboard the Barracuda. After enemy fire damages the submarine, several crewmen are wounded, and Ash treats the injured while the crew responds to the flooding and makes emerge...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Pharmacist Mate Ash → Lt. Phil Carney (Professional Medic And Crew Member) — Ash provides medical care to injured crewmen after the submarine is damaged; the reference does not specify whether Carney was among those he treated.

  After enemy fire kills Carney and wounds several crewmen, Pharmacist Mate Ash treats the injured.

• Commander Paul Stevenson → Lt. Phil Carney (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Carney's death during Stevenson's command contributes to the loss and distress the commander feels for his crew.

  Stevenson leads the submarine's crew, and Carney is killed when the submarine is damaged by enemy fire. Stevenson mourns the men under his command.

• Commander Paul Stevenson → Lt. J. G. Kenneth M. Braden (Professional Commander And Mission Passenger) — Stevenson commands the submarine transporting Braden, and they discuss their differing judgments about when to withdraw during the earlier patrol.

  Stevenson leads the submarine carrying Braden on its assignment. They discuss the earlier patrol and the decision made after a young sailor died.

• Lt. J. G. Kenneth M. Braden → Sally Johnson (Romantic Interest) — Their growing closeness is interrupted when Braden is recalled to duty; the reference does not specify how their relationship concludes.

  Braden spends time with Sally, and the reference describes their growing closeness. Sally asks about his life and what lies ahead.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Lt. Pat Malone → Lt. Phil Carney (Social Submarine Crew Members) — The reference establishes that they serve aboard the same submarine but gives no specific personal interaction between them.

  The reference identifies both as members of the submarine crew and says Carney is killed during the mission. It does not describe a specific interacti...

Story Analysis

The supplied account follows Braden's interrupted personal connection, the submarine crew's losses and dangerous assignment, and its eventual attack success.

Plot Progression

1. A Private Conversation Interrupted — After a dangerous patrol injures a sailor, Braden spends time with Sally. He keeps the details of his work classified, and his recall to duty cuts their conversation short.
2. Orders and an Old Loss — The Barracuda prepares for an assignment, and the crew learns that it is to conduct reconnaissance without firing. Stevenson and Braden revisit the death of a young sailor on an earlier patrol and dis...
3. Damage and Emergency Repairs — Enemy fire damages the submarine, kills Carney, wounds crewmen, and threatens the boat with flooding. Stevenson orders the crew to surface for repairs while Ash treats the injured, leaving the crew sh...
4. A Hit and a Promotion — The submarine's first torpedoes miss, but a later attack hits the enemy vessel. The success lifts morale, and news of Malone's promotion brings congratulations and an offer of officer's bars.