Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster.
Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Archerfish (SS-311) (AGSS-311)

Radio Call Sign: November - Yankee - Uniform - Golf

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons


Presidential Unit Citation
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the UNITED STATES SHIP ARCHERFISH for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
"For extraordinary heroism in action during the Fifth War Patrol against enemy Japanese combatant units in restricted waters of the Pacific. Relentless in tracking an alert and powerful hostile force which constituted a potential threat to our vital operations in the Philippine area, the Archerfish (SS-311) culminated a dogged six and one-half-hour pursuit by closing her high speed target, daringly penetrated the strong destroyer escort screen, and struck fiercely at a large Japanese aircraft carrier Shinano with all six of her torpedoes finding their mark to sink this extremely vital enemy ship. Subjected to devastating air and surface anti-submarine measures, the Archerfish skillfully evaded her attackers by deep submergence and returned to port in safety. Handled with superb seamanship, she responded gallantly to the fighting determination of the officers and men and dealt a fatal blow to one of the enemy's major Fleet units despite the most merciless Japanese opposition and rendered valiant service toward the ultimate destruction of a crafty and fanatic enemy." For the President, James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy. Submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 22 January 1943, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, on Seavey Island in Kittery, Maine. Launched, 28 May 1943; Commissioned USS Archerfish (SS-311), 4 September 1943; Decommissioned, 12 June 1946, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Mare Island; Recommissioned 7 March 1952; Decommissioned, 21 October 1955, at New London, CT.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, New London; Recommissioned 1 August 1957; Reclassified Auxiliary Submarine (AGSS-311), in early 1960; Decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 1 May 1968; Final Disposition, sunk as a target by Snook (SSN-592), off the coast of California, 19 October 1968. Archerfish received seven battle stars and one Presidential Unit Citation for her World War II service.

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 10"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts; Operating Depth Limit, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesels-electric reduction gear with four Fairbanks-Morse main generator engines., 5,400 hp, Fuel Capacity, 94,400 gal., four Elliot Motor Co., main motors with 2,740 hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
Click On Image
For Full Size		Size Image Description Source
Archerfish 59k Toxotes jaculatrix, the Archerfish.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia.org.
Archerfish 221k Miss Malvina Thompson, sponsor, Mrs. Charles E. Lund, matron of honor, Miss Eleanor Lund, flower bearer, launching of Archerfish (SS-311), Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 28 May 1943. National Archives Identifier: 12563175
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Archerfish 21k The Archerfish (SS-311) slides down the launching ways at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 28 May 1943. USN photo courtesy of ussarcherfish.com.
Archerfish 71k Captain Joseph F. Enright was born in Minot, North Dakota, on 18 September 1910. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1933, he joined the submarine force in 1936. Over the next six years, he served in S-35 (SS-140) and S-22 (SS-127), including duty as Executive Officer of the latter. In 1942 and 1943, Lieutenant Commander Enright commanded O-10 (SS-71) and Dace (SS-247).
Following several months service at the Midway Islands submarine base, in September 1944 he took command of Archerfish (SS-311). On 29 November 1944, his submarine sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Shinano, an action for which Commander Enright was awarded the Navy Cross. The ship was presented the Presidential Unit Citation.
Following World War II, Enright had a variety of shore and seagoing duties and was promoted to Captain in 1952. His later commands included Submarine Division 31 in 1949-50, Fulton (AS-11) in 1953-54, Submarine Squadron 8 in 1954-55 and Boston (CAG-1) in 1959-60. Captain Enright retired on 1 July 1963. He died on 07/20/00.		 USN photo # NH 90520 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Text courtesy of USNHC.
Archerfish 631k An aerial view of the Imperial Japanese Naval Base at Yokosuka Arsenal, taken by a long-range photo-recon F-13 (B-29) Superfortess flying from Saipan/Tinian, on 1 November 1944. At top right can be seen the partially completed aircraft carrier HIJMS Shinano, undergoing sea trials in Tokyo Bay, five weeks after launching and eight days prior to commissioning. There are also three early-1900s pre-dreadnought battleships in this photo.
This image was scanned from "Looking Down At War: Axis Warships As Seen On Photos From Allied Intelligence Files" by Colonel Roy M. Stanley 11, USAF (Retired) Published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd., ISBN 978 184884 471 1.
A maximum enlargement of Shinano as shown. In this image her elevators are shown down but no aircraft are carried. This image was scanned from "Looking Down At War: Axis Warships As Seen On Photos From Allied Intelligence Files" by Colonel Roy M. Stanley 11, USAF (Retired) Published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd. ISBN 978 184884 471 1.
The aircraft carrier Shinano undergoing sea trials in Tokyo Bay. This image was taken by an unknown civilian photographer aboard a harbour tug on 11 November 1944.
Image from Shizuo Fukui Collection. This image was scanned from "Aircraft Carriers of the World, 1914 to the Present: An Illustrated Encyclopedia" by Roger Chesneau. Published by Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 0-85368-636-X 		All photos courtesy of Robert Hurst.
311
0831133		 NR SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN
Japanese Navy Pinned Hopes on Great Carrier, But the Archerfish (SS-311) Had Some Other Ideas
KILLER SHlP—Here is the submarine that broke the heart of the Japanese navy—the Archerfish, powerful giant killer of the seas. 		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 21 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
311
0831133a		 NR SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN
Archerfish (SS-311) Mortally Wounds Great Enemy Carrier After Spine-Tingling Game of Cat-and-Mouse.
STALKING THE ENEMY—A tense scene like this was enacted many times in Archerfish as she relentlessly pursued her quarry, a great Japanese aircraft carrier. Here submarine officers man their tracking stations to plot every minute of their own course and position as well as that of the enemy so they will be in favorable position when the time comes for attack. 		USN photo
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 22 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Archerfish 1.18k Two 7 page PDF's on the sinking of the aircraft carrier Shinano by the Archerfish (SS-311) on 28 November 1944. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Archerfish 411k Archerfish (SS-311), underway 30 May 1945, probably in the San Francisco Bay area. US National Archives photo # 80-G-326328, via NARA College Park, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Archerfish 403k Archerfish (SS-311), underway 30 May 1945, probably in the San Francisco Bay area. US National Archives photo # 80-G-326340, via NARA College Park, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Archerfish 93k Archerfish (SS-311), off Hunter's Point Naval Drydocks, San Francisco, California, 5 June 1945. USN photo # NH 96816, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
Archerfish 114k Archerfish (SS-311), leaving Hunter's Point Naval Drydocks, San Francisco, California, 5 June 1945, after her last wartime overhaul. Installed are two 5" / 25 cal deck guns,a 40mm single gun mounted on her forward gun deck and a 20mm gun on the after deck. The 20mm gun (less base) was stored in pressure proof lockers adjacent to the base mount. Her number 2 periscope is in full raised position. Also raised is the "SD" radar antenna mast. By the arrangement of the limber holes along the lower portion of the superstructure, this boat was built with the Portsmouth plans. The plans between Portsmouth & Electric Boat are slightly different. USN Archive photo # 19-N-87174. Photo and text courtesy of The Floating Drydock, "Fleet Subs of WW II" by Thomas F. Walkowiak.
Archerfish 83k Ship's crew pose on board, while she was alongside Proteus (AS-19) in Tokyo Bay, 1 September 1945. Men in the front row are holding Archerfish's (SS-311) battle flag, which features her insignia in its center. The insignia is also painted on the large circular plaque held up below the superstructure railing in the background. USN photo # NH 95017, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center. Courtesy of Captain Joseph F. Enright, USN (Retired), 1979.
Archerfish 45k Archerfish's (SS-311) battle flag. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Archerfish 95k Proteus (AS-19) with submarines of Submarine Squadron 20 alongside in Tokyo Bay, on VJ-Day, 2 September 1945. Names of the submarines present, their commanding officers and the commanding officers of SubRon20 and Proteus (AS-19) are printed at the bottom of the image:
Archerfish (SS-311),
Cavalla (SS-244),
Gato (SS-212),
Haddo (SS-255),
Muskallunge (SS-262),
Pilotfish (SS-386),
Razorback (SS-394),
Runner (SS-476),
Segundo (SS-398),
Sea Cat (SS-399),
and Tigrone (SS-419). 		USN photo # NH 95019, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center. Courtesy of Captain Joseph F. Enright, USN (Retired), 1979.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet137kReserve fleet at Mare Island, circa January 1946. There are 52 submarines and 4 Sub Tenders in this photo. This photo is a Berthing list identifying the ships in the picture. Photo commemorating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet453kPhoto of the Reserve fleet at Mare Island, circa January 1946. There are 52 submarines and 4 Sub Tenders in this photo. Whether coincidental or on purpose, the number of boats in the photo is the same as that which were lost in WW II.
From back to front and left to right, first group of 12 boats:
Sand Lance (SS-381)
Tunny (SS-282)
Aspro (SS-309)
Lionfish (SS-298)
Guvania (SS-362)
Sunfish (SS-281)
Macabi (SS-375)
Gurnard (SS-254)
Pampanito (SS-383)
Mingo (SS-261)
Guitarro (SS-363)
Bashaw (SS-241)
From back to front and left to right, second group of 12 boats:
Sealion (SS-315)
Hammerhead (SS-364)
Bream (SS-243)
Seahorse (SS-304)
Tinosa (SS-283)
Pintado (SS-387)
Mapiro (SS-376)
Pipefish (SS-388)
Moray (SS-300)
Batfish (SS-310)
Hackleback (SS-295)
Bluegill (SS-242)
From back to front and left to right, third group of 12 boats:
Hawkbill (SS-366)
Menhaden (SS-377)
Perch (SS-313)
Loggerhead (SS-374)
Barbero (SS-317)
Baya (SS-318)
Hardhead (SS-365)
Spadefish (SS-411)
Springer (SS-414)
Devilfish (SS-292)
Kraken (SS-370)
Dragonet (SS-293)
From back to front and left to right, fourth group of 12 boats:
Lamprey (SS-372)
Piranha (SS-389)
Manta (SS-299)
Pargo (SS-264)
Rancador (SS-301)
Archerfish (SS-311)
Mero (SS-378)
Sawfish (SS-276)
Spot (SS-413)
Lizardfish (SS-373)
Jallao (SS-368)
Icefish (SS-367)
From back to front and left to right, last group of 4 boats:
Steelhead (SS-280)
Puffer (SS-268)
Stickleback (SS-415)
Trepang (SS-412)
From back to front, Submarine Tenders group of 4 ships:
Pelias (AS-14)
Aegir (AS-23)
Euryale (AS-22)
Griffin (AS-13)
Photo commemorating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Archerfish 271k Newspaper clipping of the decommissioning of Archerfish (SS-311) at Mare Island on 12 June 1946. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Archerfish 279k Line up of decommissioned subs at Groton, CT., circa 1947. From left to right:Archerfish (SS-311), Flasher (SS-249), Cobia (SS-245), Croaker (SS-246), Drum (SS-228) & what looks like the Cavalla (SS-244). USN photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory). Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Archerfish 203k Photo of forward portion of sail and antenna arrangement of Archerfish (SS-311) at Mare Island on 25 March 1952. USN photo # 12448-3-52, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Archerfish 170k Photo of port side of sail and antenna arrangement of Archerfish (SS-311) at Mare Island on 25 March 1952.USN photo # 12450-3-52, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Archerfish 117k Photo of antenna arrangement aboard from aft of gun mount Archerfish (SS-311) at Mare Island on 25 March 1952. She was being activated at the yard from 7 March to 29 May 1952. USN photo # 12452-3-52, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Archerfish 458k Port side view of the Archerfish (SS-311) off Mare Island, CA., 28 May 1952. USN photo # NY9-13250-5-52 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Grenadier 215k Sail away, 1950's version: Three different types appear in this photo:
Archerfish (SS-311), Grenadier (SS-525) & Chopper (SS-342) in Key West, Fla, during the 1950's. 		Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired.
Balao278kBow view of the Balao (SS-285) together with the Archerfish (SS-311) for the movie "Operation Petticoat" in 1959 while the boat was in Key West, Fla. Photos courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Photo i.d. courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Archerfish 435k Dr. George Bond and Chief Engineman Cyril Tuckfield following record buoyant ascent in 1959. On 2 October 1959 approx. 15 miles SW of Key West, over Vestal Shoal, they safely completed a 302 foot buoyant ascent in 52 seconds from the forward escape trunk of the Archerfish (SS-311), which had bottomed at 322 feet. US Navy photo provided by Robert Bornmann via Robert Hurst.
Archerfish 2.35k Fourteen page Welcome Aboard & History of the Archerfish (SS-311), circa 1960. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Archerfish 34k Commemorative post mark honoring Archerfish (SS-311), 26 January 1961 at Willemstad, Curacao in Netherlands Antilles Oceanographic Survey "Operation Sea Scan". USN photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Archerfish 180k Archerfish (AGSS-311), operating off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, 12 March 1961. She was then participating in "Operation Sea Scan", a scientific undertaking to investigate oceanographic and weather conditions. USN photo by PH2 C.L. Roberson, courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org. Text from photo # NH 96815, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center
Archerfish 181k Archerfish (AGSS-311), operating off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, 12 March 1961. USN photo by PH2 C.L. Roberson, courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org
Archerfish 525k Archerfish (SS-311), 20 September 1962. USN photo # NPC 1062558 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
311
0831134		1.88k A crew member checks the flag-flying at half-mast in memory of President Kennedy while others clear the deck as the U.S. submarine Archerfish (SS-311) berths at 7b Circular Quay yesterday, 21 December 1963. The crew of 68 bachelors chose Sydney as the port they would most like to spend Christmas in. The 1,800-ton submarine will he in Sydney until 6 January and will he open to the public. In World War II, on 29 November 1944, she sank the then largest aircraft carrier in the world, Japans 71,000 ton Shinano. (Photo by George Lipman/Fairfax Media via Getty Images courtesy of gettyimages.com.
Archerfish 86k Archerfish (AGSS-311) in the foreground with Kawishiwi (AO-146) in the background, at Naval Station Subic Bay, PI, January 1965. Allen R Vaughan QM2(SS) Archerfish (SS-AGSS-311) crew member.
Archerfish 399k Bachelor U.S. Submarine here For Xmas Visit -- 60 American navy submariners arrived in Sydney today for a three weeks Christmas goodwill visit with their submarine Archerfish (SS-311), after 29 days at sea from their home port at Pearl Harbor. They exchanged 3,000 dollars into Australian currency which they will spend in Sydney during their visit. An anchor pool was held by the crew on the time of the berthing of the submarine at the 7b wharf, Circular Quay. The 60 officers and crew each put in 20 dollars, the winner receiving 1000 dollars and the 2 nearest 100 dollars each. After the Archerfish berthed, the winner was, Radioman Richard Fadak, 22 of Pennsylvania. Here Archerfish berthed at Circular Quay. Sydney Hydrofoil, Manly passes here at right with the backdrop of the Opera House, 18 December 1965. Photo by George Lipman/Fairfax Media via Getty Images courtesy of gettyimages.com.
Archerfish 86k Archerfish (SS-311), port side view, circa 1957 to 1968. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Archerfish 61k Archerfish (SS-311), starboard side view, circa 1957 to 1968. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Archerfish 540k Archerfish (SS-311) meets Japan, 1966. Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Archerfish 1.70k Decommissioning PDF of the Archerfish (SS-311), 1 May 1968. Courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory) & John Perry Wood USNA '53.
Archerfish 41k On 17 October 1968 off San Diego, the ex-Archerfish (SS-311) meets her end as the Snook (SSN-592) fired 3 torpedoes; This photo shows the second torpedo, a MK37-2 that struck near her stern doing little damage. U.S. Navy & text photo courtesy of ussarcherfish.com.
Archerfish 36k On 17 October 1968 off San Diego, the ex-Archerfish (SS-311) meets her end as the Snook (SSN-592) fired a MK 14-5 torpedo that hits her amidships, sinking the target in 52 seconds. U.S. Navy & text photo courtesy of ussarcherfish.com.
View the Archerfish (SS/AGSS-311)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Archerfish SS/AGSS-311
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Submarine Index
Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster
This page is created by Gary Priolo and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024 NavSource History All rights reserved.