World War II Submarine Museum Ships in the U.S

In the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, two types of ships would rise to prominence in the U.S. Navy. One was the aircraft carrier, which would supplant the battleship as the primary weapon of the fleet. The second was the stealthy submarine. Often patrolling alone for weeks at a time, the submarine played a vital role in the Pacific by perpetrating the same type of unrestricted warfare that the Kriegsmarine had perfected along the North Atlantic trade routes.

The submarine's invaluable contribution during World War II shows in its kill ratios. Comprising less than two percent of the U.S. Navy's fleet, submarines accounted for nearly 30 percent (700,000 tons) of Japanese navy losses and 60 percent (4.9 million tons) of Japanese merchant losses. As with all submarine forces during the war, however, the silent service would pay a heavy price for its triumphs. The Navy lost 52 submarines during operations, and with them, 3,506 of its 16,000 mariners. Its 22 percent casualty rate was among the highest of all U.S. armed forces. Even this pales in comparison to Axis submarine losses. The Japanese lost approximately 127 submarines, and the Germans alone lost well over 750 U-boats and 28,000 men. The Kriegsmarine U-boat fleet ended the war with a 70 percent casualty rate, which made it the deadliest branch of any armed service.

Of those submarines that did survive the war, their fate was usually an ignoble end. Some were sold to other navies as the U.S. upgraded its fleet, some were used as targets and sunk, and most were consigned for scrapping. And yet, a select few submarines remain preserved today for posterity, mainly due to the dedicated efforts of past crews and volunteers. In museums across America, these fascinating ships are popular attractions that continue to highlight the valor and sacrifices of the sailors who manned them.

U.S.S. Batfish (SS-310)--Balao class submarine, located at Muskogee War Memorial Park in Muskogee, OK since February 18, 1972. The Batfish was commissioned in August of 1943 and earned six battle stars for her service in World War II. In addition, the ship earned a Presidential Unit Citation during her active career. Website: http://www.bowfin.org.

U.S.S. Becuna (SS-319)--Balao class submarine, located at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, PA since June 21, 1976. The Becuna was commissioned in May of 1944 and earned four battle stars for her service in World War II. She served on active duty through 1969, primarily as a training vessel out of New London. Website: http://www.phillyseaport.org.

U.S.S. Bowfin (SS-287)--Balao class submarine, located at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, HI since August 1, 1979. The Bowfin was commissioned in May of 1943 and earned eight battle stars for her service in World War II. In addition, the ship earned a Presidential Unit Citation and a Navy Unit Citation during her combat career. Website: http://www.bowfin.org.

U.S.S. Cavalla (SS-244)--Gato class submarine, located at Seawolf Park in Galveston, TX since January 21, 1971. The Cavalla was commissioned in February of 1944 and earned four battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation for her service in World War II. After the war, she was converted and recommissioned as part of the Hunter-Killer program and served on active duty through 1963. Website: http://www.cavalla.org.

U.S.S. Cobia (SS-245)--Gato class submarine, located at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, WI since 1986. The Cobia was commissioned in March of 1944 and earned four battle stars for her service in World War II. The vessel's operational radar set is the oldest of its type in the world. Website: http://www.wisconsinmaritime.org.

U.S.S. Cod (SS-224)--Gato class submarine, located in Cleveland, OH since January 25, 1975. The Cod was commissioned in June of 1943 and earned seven battle stars for her service in World War II. Website: http://www.usscod.org.

U.S.S. Clamagore (SS-343)--Balao class submarine, located at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, SC since April of 1981. The Clamagore was commissioned in June of 1945 and did not see action in World War II. She underwent GUPPY II and III conversions before being decommissioned in 1973. Website: http://www.patriotspoint.org.

U.S.S. Croaker (SS-246)--Gato class submarine, located at Naval and Servicemen's Park in Buffalo, NY since November 22, 1988. The Croaker was commissioned in April of 1944 and earned three battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation for her service in World War II. Following the war, she was converted and recommissioned as part of the Hunter-Killer program and served on active duty through 1968. Website: http://www.buffalonavalpark.org.

U.S.S. Drum (SS-228)--Gato class submarine, located at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, AL since July 4, 1969. The Drum was commissioned in November of 1941 and earned 12 battle stars for her service in World War II. Website: http://www.ussalabama.com.

U.S.S. Ling (SS-297)--Balao class submarine, located at the New Jersey Naval Museum, in Hackensack, NJ since June 28, 1972. The Ling was commissioned in June of 1945 and earned one battle star for her service in World War II. Website: http://www.njnm.com.

U.S.S. Lionfish (SS-298)--Balao class submarine, located at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA since August 30, 1972. The Lionfish was commissioned in November of 1944 and earned one battle star for her service in World War II. Website: http://www.battleshipcove.com.

U.S.S. Pampanito (SS-383)--Balao class submarine, located at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, CA since November 21, 1975. The Pampanito was commissioned in November of 1943 and earned six battle stars for her service in World War II. Website: http://www.maritime.org.

U.S.S. Requin (SS-481)--Tench class submarine, located at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA since October 20, 1990. The Requin was commissioned in April of 1945, but the war ended three days before she was to begin her first patrol. The vessel was subsequently converted for radar picket operations and served on active duty through 1968. Website: http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org.

U.S.S. Silversides (SS-236)--Gato class submarine, located at the USS Silversides and Maritime Museum in Muskegon, MI since August 7, 1987. The Silversides was commissioned in December of 1941 and earned 12 battle stars for her service in World War II. Her tally of 23 ships and 90,080 tons sunk was the third highest among American submarines, behind the Tang and the Tautog. Website: http://www.silversides.org.

U.S.S. Torsk (SS-423)--Tench class submarine, located at the Baltimore Maritime Museum in Baltimore, MD since September 26, 1972. The Torsk was commissioned in December of 1944 and earned two battle stars for her service in World War II. The vessel also served into the 1960s, earned the Navy Commendation Medal for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and holds the all-time record with 11,884 career dives. Website: http://www.baltomaritimemuseum.org.

U-505--Type IXC class U-boat, located at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL since September 25, 1954. The U-505 was commissioned in August of 1941 and conducted 12 combat patrols before being captured in 1944. This earned it the distinction of being the first enemy ship captured on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since 1815. After the war, she was slated for target practice until the government donated the vessel to the Museum of Science and Industry. It's also one of only two surviving Type IXC U-boats left in the world. Website: http://www.msichicago.org.

Sources: Naval Historical Center, Navy.mil, Uboat.net, Wikipedia