Clarence Johnston was one of six men who, with permission from the Naval Governor on Guam, evaded the Japanese after the invasion on 8 December 1941. The crew scuttled the Penguin to keep it from falling into enemy hands before making their way to shore to continue their defense of the Island. All but six of these men were captured within the first 48 hours and interned as prisoners of war. Three of his comrades were subsequently captured and beheaded on September 11, 1942, and he and one of others were captured and executed on October 22, 1942. One of the six, Radioman First Class George Tweed was the only of the six to survive the war, hiding out in Guam until he was rescued in August 1944.