The Hunt for Red October proceeds to pursue and engage it. The two U.S. submarines escorting "Red October" are prevented from firing by rules of engagement, and "Red October" is damaged by a torpedo from the Alfa. After a tense standoff, "Red October" rams "V. K. Konovalov" broadside and sinks it. The Americans escort "Red October" safely into dry dock in Norfolk, Virginia, where Ramius and his crew are taken to a CIA safehouse to begin their settlement into American life. Ryan is commended and debriefed by his superiors; he later flies back to his posting in London. "The Hunt for Red October" introduced Tom
The Hunt for Red October Reagan had pronounced the book, which was given to him as a Christmas gift, as “the perfect yarn” and “unputdownable”; his endorsement eventually boosted the novel's sales and solidified Clancy's reputation as a bestselling author. Regarding the reception, Clancy remarked: “I was thunderstruck, dumbfounded, bowled over, amazed. But I wasn't surprised." In addition, the novel was a big hit in the White House. "The Hunt for Red October" was also popular among the military. On a 1985 visit to the , Clancy discovered 26 copies of the novel among the crew. "The Washington Post", in its original review, praised the