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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch courtesy of USNHC

Bullhead (SS-332)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Bravo - Tango
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 21 October 1943, at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.; Launched, 16 July 1944; Commissioned USS Bullhead (SS-332), 4 December 1944; Sunk on 3rd patrol by Japanese aircraft off the coast of Bali, 6 August 1945, all hands lost; Struck from the Naval Register 17 September 1945 per Secretary of the Navy letter Op-23-S-wh Serial # 399323.
Bullhead earned two battle stars for World War II service.
Partial data by James Swank.

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,242 t.; Length 311' 9"; 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, 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, one 20mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four main generator engines, General Motors diesel engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity 118,000, four General Electric motors, HP 2,740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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Electric Boat 140k Trains brought the building material for submarine construction at Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn., circa summer 1943, possibly for the following boats:
Chub (SS-329),
Brill (SS-330),
Bugara (SS-331),
Bullhead (SS-332),
Bumper (SS-333),
Cabezon (SS-334),
Dentuda (SS-335),
Capitaine (SS-336), or
Carbonero (SS-337).
Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn.
Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of time.com. via Life.
Electric Boat 493k Steel under giant rolls being shaped for submarine construction at Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn., circa August 1943, probably for one of the following boats:
Chub (SS-329),
Brill (SS-330),
Bugara (SS-331),
Bullhead (SS-332),
Bumper (SS-333),
Cabezon (SS-334),
Dentuda (SS-335),
Capitaine (SS-336), or
Carbonero (SS-337).
NARA FILE #: 80-G-468488, photographed by Lt. Comdr. Charles Fenno Jacobs, USNR. Photo # HD-SN-99-02475, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Electric Boat 784k Welders work on hull of new submarine at Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn., circa August 1943. This sub is probably one of the following:
Chub (SS-329),
Brill (SS-330),
Bugara (SS-331),
Bullhead (SS-332),
Bumper (SS-333),
Cabezon (SS-334),
Dentuda (SS-335),
Capitaine (SS-336), or
Carbonero (SS-337).
NARA FILE #: 80-G-468489, photographed by Lt. Comdr. Charles Fenno Jacobs, USNR. Photo # HD-SN-99-02474, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Bullhead 21k Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Bullhead's (SS-332) keel laying, 21 October 1943, at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Bullhead 180k Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Bullhead's (SS-332) keel laying, 21 October 1943, at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Bullhead 1.46k Mrs. Howard R. Doyle, Bullhead's (SS-332) sponsor, 16 July 1944 at Groton, Conn. Photo courtesy of Bruce E Rader, CIV SubForce Museum, NAUTILUS, Library
Bullhead 570k One of the crew of the Bullhead (SS-332) wears an Indian headdress as the boat slides down the ways, 16 July 1944 at Groton, Conn. USN photo # 80-G-448204 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Bullhead 108k The Bullhead (SS-332) rescues an Army pilot at sea, during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. Note the Asian small sailing craft alongside the submarine. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49461, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 124k Bullhead (SS-332), approaches a Chinese junk to pass food to its crew, during her first war patrol, circa March-April 1945. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49466, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 71k An officer on the bridge, during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. He may be Commander Walter T. Griffith, who commanded Bullhead (SS-332) during her first two war patrols. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49448, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 979k Officer takes bearings on the Bullhead's (SS-332) bridge, during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Text courtesy of USNHC.
US National Archives photo # 80-G-49446, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Bullhead 625k An officer looks through one of the Bullhead's (SS-332) periscopes, during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Text courtesy of USNHC.
US National Archives photo # 80-G-49459, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Bullhead 733k Crewmen loading .50 caliber machine gun ammunition, during Bullhead's (SS-332) first two Pacific war patrols, circa Spring 1945. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Text courtesy of USNHC.
US National Archives photo # 80-G-49447, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Bullhead 110k A crewman examines medical supplies, during Bullhead's (SS-332) first two Pacific war patrols, circa Spring 1945. Note the copy of Navy "Ordnance Pamphlet No. 635" in the lower right. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49453, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 88k Treating an injured crewman, during Bullhead's (SS-332) first two Pacific war patrols, circa Spring 1945. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49454, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 90k A crewman talks with an injured shipmate, during Bullhead's (SS-332) first two Pacific war patrols, circa Spring 1945. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49450, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 687k A War Correspondent chatting with crewmen in the Bullhead's (SS-332) galley, during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. He is probably Martin Sheridan, who rode Bullhead's during her first war patrol in March-April 1945. Note War Correspondent patch on his uniform, "Greasy Spoon" sign and pinups in the background. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch.Text courtesy of USNHC.
US National Archives photo # 80-G-49445, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Bullhead 99k A crewman washing clothing, during Bullhead's (SS-332) first two Pacific war patrols, circa Spring 1945. Note the small lockers above the washing machine. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-4945, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 86k A crewman writes a letter home as another looks on, in one of the Bullhead's (SS-332) berthing compartments. Taken during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49449, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 101k Crewman reading in his bunk, atop a torpedo loading rack in one of the Bullhead's (SS-332) torpedo rooms. Taken during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. Note the small fan in the upper left. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch. Official USN photo, USNHC # 80-G-49457, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Bullhead 729k Church service in the Bullhead's (SS-332) after torpedo room. Taken during a Pacific war patrol, circa Spring 1945. Note the storage bags hung from berths above the torpedo loading racks, and the torpedo tube doors in the background. This photo was received by the Navy Photo Science Laboratory on 20 June 1945. It was taken by Stephen F. Birch.Text courtesy of USNHC.
US National Archives photo # 80-G-49458, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Bullhead 351k Bullhead (SS-332) underway, 1944-45. USN photo courtesy of subasepearl.com.
Bullhead 531k Bullhead (SS-332) on war patrol in the Pacific. US National Archives photo # 80-G-49464, courtesy of subasepearl.com.
Bullhead 471k Resuce of Army pilot at sea by crew of Bullhead (SS-332) while on war patrol in the Pacific. A wounded airman, Sergeant Juckel, is being helped onto the deck.
In August 1945 she was to transit Lambok Strait on her way to her patrol area near Java. She was bombed and sunk near the Northern end of the strait on 6 August 1945. The Sealion (SS-195) was the first of the fifty two submarines lost in World War II. The Bullhead was the last.		Text courtesy of WW II ARCHIVES
US National Archives photo # 80-G-49469, courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Bullhead 163k USN photo Print of the Bullhead (SS-332). Photo courtesy of veramar-arts
Bullhead 5k While on her 2nd war patrol Bullhead (SS-332) (Cdr. W.T. Griffith) sinks a small Japanese vessel with gunfire off Lombok Strait in position 08.26S, 115.47E.Photo & text courtesy of Great Circle Mapper - © Karl L Swartz / uboat.net.
Bullhead 6.07k 69 photo PDF history of Bullhead's (SS-332) first two Pacific war patrols, Spring 1945. USN photos courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Bullhead 627k Bullhead's (SS-332) loss was incurred by 2 Mitsubishi Ki-51's which attacked with depth charges. They claimed two direct hits, and for ten minutes thereafter, there was a great amount of gushing oil and air bubbles rising in the water. Since the position given is very near the Bali coast, it is presumed that the proximity of mountain peaks shortened Bullhead's radar range and prevented her receiving a warning of the plane's approach. Text courtesy of Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Photo courtesy of mirror.enha.kr/wiki.
Bullhead 65k Google Earth satellite photo of the general area in north-east coast of Bali in position 08º20'S, 115º42'E, Bullhead's (SS-332) last approximate position.View courtesy of Google Earth.
Bullhead 35k Commemorative photo in honor of the memory of the crew of the Bullhead (SS-332).Photo courtesy of Tom Kermen.
Dante's Prayer courtesy of Loreena McKennitt via loreenamckennitt.com
Bullhead 16k Edward Rowell Holt, Jr., Lieutenant Commander (Commanding Officer) of the Bullhead (SS-332) at the time of her loss. USN photo courtesy of oneternalpatrol.com.
Bullhead
0833229		 NR SUBMARINE BULLHEAD MISSING WITH CREW OF 90 OFFICERS, MEN
The submarine Bullhead (SS-332) is overdue from patrol and presumed lost with its crew of 90 men, the Navy announced today. The Bullhead left Fremantle. Australia, on 31 July for operations in the Java Sea. Efforts to contact her by radio began 13 August presumably to give her a "hold fire" order as a result of Japan’s surrender offer, but have been unsuccssful.
The Navy asumed that the craft was lost due to enemy action. Next of kin of personnel on board have been notified.
The Bullhead is the 52nd submarine and the 436th U. S. Naval vessel to be lost from all causes in this war. Skipper was Lt. Cmdr. Edward R. Holt, Jr., of Laurens, S. C., who is listed as missing. Holt was born in Hickory, N. C., and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1939. He assumed command of the Bullhead in July, 1945.
The 1,525-ton submarine was built by the Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn., and commissioned 4 December 1944. She was 311 feet long. 		Image and text provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC
Photo from The Wilmington Morning Star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 25 August 1945, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Fremantle 365k This plaque was unveiled 20 March 1995 by His Excellency Major General P.M. Jeffery OA MC, Governor of Western Australia to commemorate the sacrifices made by Allied submarines that operated out of Fremantle, Western Australia during WW II. Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
Bullhead
0833229a		 2.17k US Consul General Perth David Gainer (left) and Bullhead (SS-332) Memorial benefactor Tim Baldock (right) on the day of the Memorial's unveiling, 6 August 2021. The Bullhead Memorial stands outside the West Australian Maritime Museum. The Port of Fremantle, Western Australia, was the Bullhead's last homeport before she was lost on 6 August 1945.
Midshipman Maxwell Baldock RAN (left) stands with his father Tim Baldock (right) Bullhead (SS-332) Memorial benefactor of the Bullhead Memorial in Fremantle, Western Australia. 		Photos courtesy of Maxwell Baldock.
Tolling the Boats 117k Joyce DaSilva, the wife of Jesse DaSilva of the Tang (SS-306), one of the nine survivors of the boat, tosses a flower into a reflecting pool to honor the memory of one of the 52 submarines lost during World War II at the National Submarine Memorial-West on board Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif. On this Veterans Day, the Submarine Veterans of World War II transferred ownership of the memorial to the U.S. Navy.

The following text is from The Coming Fury by Bruce Catton., pg. 478.
"Major Sullivan Ballou of Rhode Island was killed in the battle, and just before it he had wrote to his wife, Sarah, to tell her that he believed he was going to be killed and to express a tremulous faith that could see a gleam of light in the dark:
"But O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and float unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you in the gladdest days and in the gloomiest nights, always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your chest it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait, for we shall meet again!"		 Text i.d. courtesy of Marlynn Starring. Photo i.d. courtesy of Chuck Senior, Vice Commander, Los Angeles-Pasadena Base, USSVI.
USN photo # N-1159B-021 by Journalist 2nd Class Brian Brannon, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
Bullhead 355k The Commander Submarines, Seventh Fleet, has the honor to award the Submarine Combat Insignia and to comment in absentia for services set forth in the following Citation

In Memorium:

In the Second Book of Shmuel (Samuel), 22nd chapter, 5th through the 20th verses, translated from the original in Hebrew and published by the Koren Publishers of Jerusalem, Israel, 1982, can perhaps aptly describe the fate of the crew and all other U.S. submariners who died defending their county:

"When the waves of death compassed me / the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; / the bonds of She'ol encircled me; / the snares of death took me by surprise; / in my distress I called upon the Lord, / and cried to my G-D: / and he heard my voice out of his temple, / and my cry entered into his ears. / Then the earth shook and trembled; /the foundations of heaven moved / and shook because of his anger /...the heavy mass of waters, and thick clouds of the skies /... And the channels of the sea appeared, / the foundations of the world were laid bare, / at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast at the breath of his nostrils. / He sent from above, he took me; / he drew me out of many waters; / he delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. / They surprised me in the day of my calamity: / but the Lord was my stay / He brought me forth also into a large place: / he delivered me because he delighted in me./"
USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
View the Bullhead (SS-332)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
On Eternal Patrol
ComSubPac Report on the loss of USS BULLHEAD (SS 332) August 6, 1945 - 84 Men Lost
WW II ARCHIVES
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
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