Sub History
Built at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. Laid down February 24, 1943 as a Balao-class submarine. Launched June 18, 1943 as USS Burrfish (SS-312) named for a swellfish that dwells off the Atlantic coast. Commissioned September 13, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with captain William B. Perkins, Jr. in command.

Wartime History
During the war, the submarine completed six war patrols and earned five battle stars for her World War II service.

Third War Patrol
On August 13, 1944 landed US Navy frogmen from UDT 10 (Underwater Demolition Team 10) off Yap to conduct reconnaissance of the beaches for a possible landing.

On May 13, 1945 returned from her sixth patrol to Pearl Harbor. Three days later, ordered to Portsmouth Navy Yard for a major overhaul, arriving June 19.

Postwar
On October 12, 1945 arrived at New London, CT for inactivation and was placed in reserve on October 10, 1946. On November 2, 1948 recommissioned and assigned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for conversion to a radar picket submarine, designated SSR-312 on January 27, 1949. The conversion was completed during November 1949.

Reactivated on February 7, 1950 and assigned to Submarine Squadron 6 based at Norfolk, VA. Between February 1950 and June 1956 completed three tours with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, participated in several exercises and operated along the eastern seaboard as a radar picket ship. On June 5, 1956 Burrfish departed Norfolk for New London for inactivation. Placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet on December 17, 1956.

Recommissioned on January 17, 1961 as SS-312, decommissioned on May 11, 1961, and loaned to Canada. Commissioned as HMCS Grilse (SS-71) in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). On July 19, 1969 returned to US Navy custody and officially stricken from the Naval Register, on July 19, 1969.

Sinking History
On November 19, 1969 sunk as a target off San Clemente Island, CA.

References
MissingAircrew - American Missions Against Yap, 13 August 1944

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Last Updated
August 31, 2025