Bowfin: The Pearl Harbor Avenger

Excellent story of the Bowfin by Thomas Holian for the 33rd issue of Undersea Warfare, The Official Magazine of the U.S. Submarine Force.

Bowfin’s “record on and under the seas stands today as a mark of the dedication and courage with which America’s submariners answered their nation’s call. Indeed, the Pearl Harbor Avenger herself now floats quietly in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a proud memorial visited by thousands of people from around the world who come to pay their respects not only to the men of Bowfin, but to all the brave men who served beneath the waves, and especially those who began their “eternal patrol” before the Japanese surrender. In all, 52 of 288 combat submarines (almost one out of five) and 3,505 of 14,750 World War II U.S. submariners (almost one out of four) paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation, and it is for these men in particular that Bowfin stands in silent tribute.”

Mr. Holian is a contributing editor to UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine and a graduate student pursuing a degree in government and international affairs from Virginia Tech.

Blogged with Flock

These are some pics of the USS Marlin (SST-2) Training Submarine. It operated out of Key West I believe while Dad was on Chivo. Used as a sonar target for exercises, I think is what he told me.

Port side view of the Marlin (SST-2), underway, late 50’s, place unknown.
US Navy photo courtesy of St. Marys Submarine Museum, submitted by Thomas Denton, Submarine Art, www.submarineart.com and courtesy of http://www.navsource.org/

This is a shot of Marlin now at Freedom Park, Omaha, NE where she is on display. I found it quite amusing to realize she was there while I was assigned to HQ Strategic Air Command at Offut AFB, NE. Kinda just down river from her. I had the opportunity one weekend to crawl through her and take some shots. I’ll scan and publish as soon as I find them.

These deisel SSTs were half again smaller than the fleet boats they sailed with out of Key West.

Marlin (SST-2), on permanant display at Freedom Park, Omaha, NE. Courtesy of Historic Naval Ships Association (hnsa.org) Photo courtesy of http://www.navsource.org/