USS Muskallunge (SS 262)

"Submarine Honor Guard"

USS Muskallunge (SS 262)

The Gato-class submarine, USS Muskallunge (SS 262) was built by the Electric Boat Company in 1942.  She was commissioned into the United States Navy on March 15, 1943.  Muskallunge entered the war in September of 1943 with the Pacific Fleet.  She completed seven war patrols during World War II.

USS Muskallunge (SS 262) on September 4, 1943. United States Navy photograph.

 Muskallunge's last war patrol was spent in the Kurile Islands, north of Japan, attacking Japanese ships.  On August 8, 1945, enemy fire killed one of the submarine's gunners and wounded two other crew members.  With the news of victory on August 15, Muskallunge received orders to report to Tokyo Bay for the formal surrender ceremonies on September 2, 1945.

USS Muskallunge's (SS 262) World War II battle flag.  United States Navy photograph.

September 3, 1945, Muskallunge was sent to the Atlantic Fleet where she served until she was decommissioned on January 29, 1947.

Muskallunge was recommissioned on August 31, 1956, prior to being transferred to Brazil.  The transfer took place on January 18, 1957.  Muskallunge was on loan to Brazil and served the Brazilian Navy as Humaitá (S14).  

Humaitá (S14), October 1966, transferring cargo.  Brazilian Navy photograph.

March of 1968, the submarine was returned to the United States and was sunk as a target off Long Island, New York, on July 9, 1968.  During Muskallunge's 25 years of existence, she served actively for four years, 4 months, 1 day with the United States Navy and eleven years, 5 months, and 21 days with the Brazilian Navy.  

USS Haddo (SS 255)

"Submarine Honor Guard"

USS Haddo (SS 255)

Postal cover to commemorate launching of USS Haddo (SS 255), June 21, 1942.  Courtesy of Jack Treutle.

The Electric Boat Company laid the keel of USS Haddo (SS 255) on October 1, 1941.  This Gato-class submarine was commissioned in the United States Navy over a year later on October 9, 1942.

Artist John Taylor Arms's U.S. Navy Series No. 4: Haddo (SS 255), Portrait of a Submarine-1942.  Photograph from the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. 

After leaving Groton, Connecticut, Haddo began her first war patrol in April of 1943, in the Atlantic Fleet.  She patrolled shipping lanes to Scotland.  Once arriving in Europe, she patrolled off Norway and Iceland for three war patrols.  Since targets were scarce in the Atlantic Ocean, Haddo was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.

Haddo departed from Pearl Harbor on December of 1943.  She patrolled the Philippine, Boreneo, Java, Indochina, and East Indies water.  Her ninth and final patrol consisted of her in the East China and Yellow Seas.  August 10, 1945, Haddo departed Guam for her tenth war patrol, but was terminated due to the surrender of Japan.

Arthur Laughrun (right) and Richard Moyer (left) under USS Haddo's (SS 255) scorecard, circa 1945.  Photograph courtesy of Arthur Laughrun.

September 2, 1945, Haddo was among the twelve submarines present to witness the singing of the surrender of the Empire of Japan.

Haddo arrived in New London, Connecticut, on October 6, 1945.  She was decommissioned on February 16, 1946, but was kept in reserve until her name was stricken from the Naval Register on August 1, 1958.  Luria Brothers and Company from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bought the submarine for scrap on April 30, 1959.

Haddo served the United States Navy for 3 years, 4 months, and 7 days.  She earned six battle stars out of nine war patrols.

Author: Allison Hiblong

USS Gato (SS 212)

"Submarine Honor Guard"

USS Gato (SS 212)

Line drawing of USS Gato (SS 212).  Drawing courtesy of Thomas F. Walkowiak.

USS Gato (SS 212) was the lead boat of her class.  Gato-class submarines were launched from 1941 to 1943 and were the first mass production United States submarine class produced in World War II.

USS Gato (SS 212) December 31, 1941.  United States Navy photograph.

The Electric Boat Company laid Gato's keel on October 5, 1940.  She was launched in Groton, Connecticut, on August 21, 1941, and was commissioned into the United States Navy December 31, 1941.  Her first war patrol began in the Pacific on April 20, 1942.

During World War II, Gato completed thirteen war patrols.  Her first five patrols she served off the coast of the Marshall Islands, Kurile Islands, Kiska, Truk atoll, Solomon Islands, and Gilbert Islands. Then during the summer of 1943, Gato was assigned to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for overhaul. 

Pen and ink drawing of USS Gato (SS 212) at Mare Island.  United State Navy photograph.

War patrols six through ten, Gato served in the Salomons, Bismark Archipelago, Milne Bay, Majuro atoll, and Chichi Jima. During her ninth war patrol she transported Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood from Pearl Harbor to Midway in June of 1944.  After the tenth war patrol, Gato again returned to Mare Island for another overhaul.

USS Gato (SS 212) 4"/50 cal deck gun during November 1944 overhaul. United States Navy photograph.

The modifications made to Gato, included installation of new freestanding mast for SD radar and relocation of SJ to a new mast supported by her periscope shears.   January 1945, Gato returned to war for her eleventh patrol.  The rest of the war she patrolled the Yellow Sea, off the coat of Okinawa, and the coast of Wake Island.  While serving lifeguard duty during air strikes on Wake Island, "Cease Fire" was received aboard the submarine.  Gato was able to be apart of the formal surrender ceremony by the Empire of Japan on September 2, 1945.

November 1944 modifications made in Mare Island.  Photograph courtesy of Norman Friedman.

After World War II, Gato was sent to the New York Naval Shipyard.  She was decommissioned on March 16, 1946.  She did serve as a Naval Reserve training ship at New York and Baltimore, Maryland.  March 1, 1960, her name was stricken from the Naval Register.  The Northern Metals Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bought Gato for scrapping on July 25, 1960.

Gato actively served  in the United States Navy for four years, 3 months, and 16 days.  During that time she earned 13 battle stars and Presidential Unit Citation for her service in World War II.

An American syndicated anthology television series, The Silent Service, aired from 1957 to 1958. This series was based on actual events about submarine service in the United States Navy.  The series finale focused on the service of Gato.  The episode "Five Ring Circus" tells the story of when a Japanese depth charge landed on the deck of the boat without exploding.  The episode can be viewed on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngb5_JChxac.

Author: Allison Hiblong