Posted on 03/09/2004 5:43:14 AM PST by Happy2BMe
USS Pompano, 1330-ton Perch class submarine built at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, was commissioned in June 1937. She operated in the eastern Pacific for the rest of the decade and for the first two years of the 1940s. Pompano arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, soon after the beginning of the Pacific War, and began her first war patrol in mid-month. Surviving attacks by "friendly" planes a few days after leaving Pearl Harbor, she inspected Wake Island on New Year's Day 1942. The submarine then proceeded to the Marshall Islands, where she attacked a large ship on 13 January, but apparently did not sink it. In April-June 1942 Pompano conducted her second patrol, into the East China Sea, sinking a small tanker, a large transport and some smaller craft. Her next patrol, in July-September, took her into the waters off Japan where she survived a serious depth-charging and sank two enemy ships.
After a Mare Island overhaul Pompano operated in the Marshall Islands area in January and February 1943, off Japan in March-May and again in June-July, sank no ships and experienced some of the frustrating torpedo problems that plagued the Navy during the war's first half. Her seventh war patrol, also in Japanese waters, began in August. Pompano sank two freighters but then disappeared, with the loss of her entire crew. Though the evidence is circumstantial, she was probably sunk by a mine sometime in September 1943.
This page features all the views we have related to USS Pompano (SS-181).
| Photo #: 80-G-456127 USS Pompano (SS-181) In San Francisco Bay, California, 1938. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. |
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| Photo #: 19-N-38960 USS Pompano (SS-181) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 19 December 1942. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. /B> |
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| Photo #: 19-N-38961 USS Pompano (SS-181) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 19 December 1942. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. |
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| Photo #: 19-N-38965 USS Pompano (SS-181) Plan view, forward, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 24 December 1942. Circles on the photo mark recent alterations to the ship. Note periscope, radar antenna, 20mm machine gun mountings and other details. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. |
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| Photo #: 80-G-21785 Lieutenant Commander Willis M. Thomas, USN, Commanding Officer of USS Pompano (SS-181) Receives the Navy Cross from Rear Admiral Wilhelm L. Friedell, in ceremonies at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 7 December 1941. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. |
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| Photo #: 19-N-18021 USS Henley (DD-391), at right, and USS Pompano (SS-181), at left Under construction at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 April 1936. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. |
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| Photo #: NH 44005 USS Pompano (SS-181) Afloat immediately after her launching, at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 11 March 1937. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. |
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Fabulous work, Potlatch!!
Praise from the artist'e! Thanks LJ.
Beautiful DC!!
Perfect way to relax at Pompano Beach!!
Ahh Meek, how well I remember those!! Great to 'see' you!!
hehe!I thought you might remember 'em! :^D
Yep, and wishing you were here posting every night with the rest of us!!
Yeah, me too. :^DOne day, when I'm "rich and famous", maybe I can come back here regularly!
hehe! :)
LOL, then I'll wish for that!!
hehehehe! :^D
"Still On Patrol".
I wish I could be on here and consult with you great people everyday.
How nice Boazo! I am always happy to see you!!
Devolve, what a splendid thread to honor our military, past and current, particularly on this anniversary date.
Greetings, Meek! Nice to see you again.
Splendid hymn, dixiechick2000. Thanks for printing the lyrics. It must provide such comfort to millions of service members and their families and loved ones.
Excellent postal covers, Happy2BMe, and a fine drawing of the USS Pompano, Phil.
Beautiful eagle gif, potlatch, with such a special sentiment for today.
((Hugs)) to all.
I need more clues, am I the only dumb-bunny here?
A popular WWII Army Air Force song
Not an official song
My father would love this one
My sister will groan and shake her head
all I can think of is "roll me over in the clover..."
happy to join my FRiends on this terrible day.
Just getting on-line now.
First time I have seen the "Pompano" site..
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