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| USN Balao-class submarine 1,550 Tons 311' 9" x 27' 3" x 16' 10" 10 × 21-inch torpedo tubes (6 forward, 4 aft) World War II Armament 1 x 5" gun 1 x 40mm AA 1 x 20mm AA   USN c1944-45    Justin Taylan 2013 |
Sub History Built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, CT. Laid down April 29, 1943 as Balao-class submarine. Launched January 30, 1944 as USS Becuna (SS-319). Commissioned May 27, 1944 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lieutenant Commander H. D. Sturr in command. Wartime History On July 1, 1944 departs New London, CT via the Panama Canal bound for Pearl Harbor arriving July 29, 1944. First War Patrol On August 23, 1944 departed Pearl Harbor and proceeds to the South China Sea. On September 1, captures a small boat with Japanese aboard, takes them prisoner and machine guns the boat sinking it. On September 25 attacks a convoy off Formosa without results. On October 8, 1944 while patrolling in the South China Sea, at roughly 14-12N, 115-53E fires four torpedoes at Kimikawa Maru and claims two hits on the port side in hold No. 4 and flooding occurs in this hold and hold No. 5, Detached from the convoy, the damaged ship departs under escort by Hiyodori and CD-28. On October 9, 1944 Becuna makes four separate underwater attacks against a convoy MI-19, damaging San Luis Maru at at 12-43N, 118-05E. , Tokuwa Maru sinking the vessel. Plus an unidentified transport and an unidentified cargo ship. Afterwards proceeds to Fremantle. Second War Patrol During November 1944 departs Fremantle. During the patrol, makes a surfaced attack using the deck gun to sink two unidentified 100 ton vessels. Afterwards returns to Fremantle. Third War Patrol During February 1945 departs Fremantle. On February 22, 1945 torpedoes Nichiyoku Maru at 11-30N 109-06E. The escorts dropped 65 depth charges, but fail to cause any damage. Afterwards returns to Fremantle. Fourth War Patrol Assigned to Lt. Commander William J. Bush and departs Fremantle, no results on this patrol. Fifth War Patrol On June 21, 1945 departs Fremantle. On July 15, 1945 attacks a Otori class torpedo boat, without results. On returned from patrol to Subic Bay. On September 22, 1945 arrived at San Diego. Postwar Operated with the Pacific Fleet until April 1949 when transfered to the Atlantic Fleet to Submarine Squadron 8 and conducted refresher training during May 1949 until May 1950 off New London, CT. Afterwards, operated with the Atlantic Fleet, mainly as a training submarine off New London, CT and made two cruises with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean and one off Scotland. During 1969 reclassified an Auxiliary Submarine, AGSS-319. On November 7, 1969 decomissioned and placed into the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. During November 1950, entered the Electric Boat Company in Groton, CT for a nine month conversion under the Greater Underwater Propulsive Power Program into a GUPPY IA submarine with additional batteries, snorkel, sail and other modificaitons. During 1969, reclassified as an auxiliary submarine and redesignated as AGSS-319. On November 7, 1969 decommissioned and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On August 15, 1973 struck from the Naval Register. During 1974, transfer to Venezuela was considered but never happened. Display On June 21, 1976 donated to to the Cruiser Olympia Association and permanently moored in the Delaware River adjacent to USS Olympia C-6 at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, PA. Since 1996 open for walk through tours by the Independence Seaport Museum. During 1986, designated as a National Historic Landmark. Awards For her World War II service, Becuna earned four battle stars. References Becuna | Independence Seaport Museum Navy Source Becuna (SS-319) (AGSS-319) Combined Fleet - Submarine Operations Research Group Attack Data USS Becuna (SS-319) Contribute
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