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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski.

Bowfin (SS-287)

Radio Call Sign: November - Whiskey - Sierra - Lima

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons


Presidential Unit Citation
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 23 July 1942, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, on Seavey Island in Kittery, Maine. Launched, 7 December 1942; Commissioned USS Bowfin (SS-287), 1 May 1943; Decommissioned, 12 February 1947, at the Naval Submarine Base, New London, CT.; Laid up in the Reserve Fleet at New London; Recommissioned, 27 July 1951, at New London, CT.; Decommissioned, 22 April 1954, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Re-designated Auxiliary Research Submarine (AGSS-287) in 1962; Re-designated Miscellaneous Submarine (IXSS-287) in 1971; Struck from the Naval Register, 1 December 1971;
Final Disposition, on permanent display as a memorial at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Bowfin received the Presidential Unit Citation for her second war patrol, the Navy Unit Commendation for her sixth war patrol, and eight battle stars during World War II.

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,414 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 Limit, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 4"/50 deck gun, one 40mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator diesel engines, 5,400hp, Fuel Capacity 94,400 gal., four General Electric main motors with 2,740 hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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For Full Size		Size Image Description Source
Bowfin1.16kMrs. James O. Gawne, Rear Admiral Thomas Withers, and Miss Christine Gawne at the Launch of the Bowfin (SS-287). National Archives Identifier: 12562986
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Bowfin 68k Bowfin (SS-287) slides down the launching ramp at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 7 December 1942. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin 55k Bowfin (SS-287) Launch Pin. Courtesy of Ron Toth Jr. of timepassagenostalgia.com via Tom Kermen.
Bowfin 17k Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Bowfin's (SS-287) commissioning at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 1 May 1943. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Bowfin 119k At the commissioning ceremony of the Bowfin (SS-287) on 1 May 1943, Commander Joseph H. Willingham, Jr. reads his orders and sets the first watch. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin585kBowfin (SS-287) appears here on 16 August 1943 just before setting out on her first patrol.USN photo # 80-G-394386 by Cdr. Edward J. Steichen, from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Tirante268kUndated pre-war image of the Osaka Shosen KK-owned general cargo ship Sydney Maru underway. Sydney Maru (5,425 grt) was torpedoed and sunk (in convoy) on 28 November 1943 at position (12 degrees 46' N, 109 degrees 42' E) by the submarine Bowfin (SS-287). Photo courtesy of Mitsui OSK archives via "The World's Merchant Fleets 1939" by Roger W. Jordan, courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Fremantle 101k Busy pier scene at Fremantle Austraila 19 December 1943. From left to right, stern view to the camera are the Bonefish (SS-223), Rasher (SS-269), Bowfin (SS-287), Bluefish (SS-222), Narwhal (SS-167) and the sub tender Pelias (AS-14).
Second row, bow view are the Cod (SS-224), Tinosa (SS-283) and Crevalle (SS-291).
I believe the only time that photo could have been taken was 19 December 1943. The Tinosa was in Fremantle only once, from 16 December 1943 to 10 January 1944. During that brief window, the Bonefish had not arrived until 19 December and the Rasher departed 19 December so that is the single date all three submarines were ever in Fremantle port at the same time. 		Photo i.d. courtesy of Dan Goodell.
USN photo courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Charr 74k A 1944 Charcoal drawing by the artist Griffith Baily Coale entitled "Busy Fremantle--Busy Mother" is reminiscent of the above photo by Lt. Herb Hanson. Painting # 40 / 88-188-AN.
Courtesy of the USNHC.
Bowfin180kAn undated pre-war pic of the Nippon Yuse (n KK-owned passenger/general cargo ship SS Tusima Maru (ex-Tsushima Maru), underway location unknown. Additional info: The 6,754 grt Tusima Maru was torpedoed (in convoy Namo 103) and sunk on 22 August 1944 by the submarine Bowfin (SS-287), [Cdr J Corbus] 5.5 miles NW of Akuseki Island at position 29 32N 129 31E. Thought to have been a Japanese Army transport, the attack was carried out at night between 10.00 and 11.30 pm. The crew of the Bowfin would not discover until twenty years later that it was found to be a passenger ship, en route from Okinawa to kagoshima, carrying some 1,800 passengers, many being women and children. More than 1,500 died, including 777 school children. Photo from bowfin.org courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Bowfin 277k A safety engineering photo of the congestion on the wing walls of ARD-11 at Mare Island on 25 October 1944. The bow of the Bowfin (SS-287) is seen to the right. USN photo # 6462-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Bowfin 395k Bowfin (SS-287) off Mare Island on 24 November 1944. USN photo # 7186-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Bowfin 224k Bow on view of Bowfin (SS-287) off Mare Island on 24 November 1944. USN photo # 7182-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Bowfin 263k Broadside view of Bowfin (SS-287) off Mare Island on 24 November 1944. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 21 September until 17 December 1944. USN photo # 7185-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Bowfin 194k Stern view of Bowfin (SS-287) off Mare Island on 24 November 1944. US Navy photo # 7187-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Bowfin 62k Bow view of the Bowfin (SS-287) at Mare Island following upgrading, 28 November 1944. Circles represent additions. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin 112k Bowfin (SS-287) returns from a patrol, possibly to Fremantle, Australia. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Bowfin 57k Action on Bowfin's (SS-287) deck, note Battle Flag and Presidential Unit Citation Pennant. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin 68k Bowfin (SS-287) bringing back Japanese prisoners which were picked up and taken ashore by a Marine guard. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin 1.32k I. R. Lloyd print of the Bowfin (SS-287) during action that resulted in her receiving the PUC in WW II. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Bowfin 98k Bowfin's (SS-287) crew receiving the Presidential Unit Citation from Admiral Christie upon return from the second War Patrol. Bowfin is moored alongside Orion (AS-18) in Fremantle , Austrial a. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin 41k The Presidential Unit Citation pennant is presented to Bowfin's (SS-287) captain, Commander John Corbus, by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz in July 1944. Although earned during the second War Patrol, the pennant was not presented to the boat until her return to Pearl Harbor after her fifth War Patrol. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin 447k Albert Patrick Kenney, who was a Baker, Second Class, aboard Bowfin (SS-287) on Patrols 4 through 9. Photo was taken during the 9th Patrol by Marshall Woolley La Cour, PHOM2. Photo submitted by Charles R. Hinman, Director of Education & Outreach,
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, &
On Eternal Patrol
Operation Barney
0828330		2.54k
Submarine Force Pacific Fleet...
extends to.....
membership in the distinguished order of...
Mighty Mine Dodgers
A small band of brave men of high courage who have completed with skill, ingenuity and tenacity a task that required a transit of the most dangerous of war waters through enemy minefields and penetrating what the Emperor of Japan considered his inviolate waters....The Sea of Japan. No weapon of Dai Nippon could halt these determined men. They did wilfully and with due knowledge of the dangers involved, carry out their assigned task to emerge from incontrovertible proof of the success of their daring, thus becoming members of the Mighty Mine Dodgers and thus entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof.
Let all men who read this scroll be forever grateful and respectful of those heroic American submariners who went in and especially to those who gave their lives in this operation. The job was superlatively well done.
Chas Lockwood
Vice Admiral
This was Operation Barney		Operation Barney link courtesy of Steven Trent Smith, World War II Magazine via navytimes.com
Photo courtesy of the family of Charles H Wagner Jr., TM2c (SS) USNR. Service from 1942-1946, aged 18-22, aboard S-37 (SS-142) & Tinosa (patrols 6-12).
Bowfin 209k Vice Admiral Charles Andrews Lockwood, COMSUBPAC, greeting CDR Alexander Kelly Tyree, when Bowfin (SS-287) returned to Pearl Harbor from the Sea of Japan after her 9th war patrol, 4 July 1945. Photo submitted by Charles R. Hinman, Director of Education & Outreach,
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, &
On Eternal Patrol
Spadefish 390k Hellcats get together one by one:
From inboard to outboard: Flying Fish (SS-229) & Spadefish (SS-411), July 1945. 		USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Spadefish 269k Hellcats get together two plus one:
From inboard to outboard: Flying Fish (SS-229), Spadefish (SS-411) & with Bowfin (SS-287) approaching, July 1945. 		USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Spadefish 298k Hellcats get together three plus one:
From inboard to outboard: Flying Fish (SS-229), Spadefish (SS-411), Bowfin (SS-287) with Tinosa (SS-283) approaching, July 1945. 		USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Spadefish 241k Hellcats get together with one to go:
From inboard to outboard: Flying Fish (SS-229), Spadefish (SS-411), Bowfin (SS-287), Tinosa (SS-283) & Skate (SS-305) approaching, July 1945. 		USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Spadefish 192k All together now:
From inboard to outboard: Flying Fish (SS-229), Spadefish (SS-411), Bowfin (SS-287), Tinosa (SS-283) & Skate (SS-305) July 1945. 		USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Flying Fish 58k Flying Fish (SS-229), Spadefish (SS-411), Tinosa (SS-283), Bowfin (SS-287), and Skate (SS-305) as they appeared from a photo taken at the top of training tower at Sail 9 in 1945.
USN photo courtesy of Grant Riddle and submarinebaseph.com from centerfold of Bowfin museum brochure.
Bowfin 297k WW II battle-flag of the Bowfin (SS-287). Courtesy of Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Tyree59kCDR. Alexander Kelly Tyree was the commanding officer of the Bowfin (SS-287) from September 1944 to July 1945. He was twice the recipient of the Navy Cross during his command of the Bowfin. Photo courtesy of the Lucky Bag Yearbook – Class of 1936 via Bill Gonyo.
Bowfin 9.60k 61 Page history of Bowfin (SS-287). Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Bowfin 33.7k A brief 252 page history of Bowfin's (SS-287) 9 war patrols. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Bowfin 59k Shown after her reactivation in late 1951, Bowfin (SS-287) was assigned to SUBRON 3 and 5 during the Korean conflict. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Mare Island2.50kBowfin (SS-287) and Perch (APSS-313), docked together in Mare Island's dry dock #1 between 19 January 1954 and 29 March 1954. Also in the photo are YC-239 (at the foot of the dry dock) and YD-33 (inboard) and YD-72 (outbaord) at the foot of Ways 2.Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Bowfin 983k Bowfin (SS-287) in Lake Union Seattle. Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Bowfin 45k Bowfin (IXSS-287) served as a Naval Reserve Training Ship at Seattle, Washington for ten years. Moored to the training center pier, her tubes and vents sealed, Bowfin finished her Navy career. Courtesy of Leeward Publications Ships Data #4, USS Bowfin, submitted by Aryeh (Lee) Wetherhorn.
Bowfin 118k Stern view of the Bowfin (SS-287) at Pearl Harbor, probably after she was decommissioned 1 December 1971. She has been stripped of all her deck guns by the late 1940's. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org. Text courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Bowfin 111k Portside view of the Bowfin (SS-287), at Pearl Harbor, probably after she was decommissioned 1 December 1971. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Bowfin 151k Closeup view of the fairweather and stern of the Bowfin (SS-287), at Pearl Harbor, probably after she was decommissioned 1 December 1971. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Bowfin 219k Looking down the bow of the Bowfin (SS-287), at Pearl Harbor, probably after she was decommissioned 1 December 1971. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Bowfin 233k Engineering Control Stand of the Bowfin (SS-287), at Pearl Harbor, probably after she was decommissioned 1 December 1971. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Bowfin 211k Forward torpedo room of the Bowfin (SS-287), at Pearl Harbor, probably after she was decommissioned 1 December 1971. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Bowfin 73k Door going into the forward battery....pole is sound head, and you can see the sink for the forward torpedo room of the Bowfin (SS-287), at Pearl Harbor, probably after she was decommissioned 1 December 1971. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org. Text courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Bowfin 355k A starboard view of the submarine Bowfin (IXSS-287) on 27 June 1986. USN photo # DN-ST-86-09589, by Don S. Montgomery, USN, Ret, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
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).
Bowfin 55k Starboard view of the Bowfin (IXSS-287), at Pearl Harbor, circa 2001. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Bowfin 125k Bowfin (IXSS-287), at the Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii., 11 March 2001. Photo by Daniel W. Gless.
Bowfin 121k Bowfin (IXSS-287), at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii., 11 March 2001. Note, this photo was taken from the National Park Services Arizona Memorial Visitor Center next to the Bowfin Museum. Photo by Daniel W. Gless.
Bowfin 131k Interior photo of Bowfin (IXSS-287), at the Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii., 11 March 2001. Photo by Daniel W. Gless.
Bowfin 116k Photo of one of Bowfin's (IXSS-287) torpedo rooms, at the Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii., 11 March 2001. Photo by Daniel W. Gless.
Bowfin 89k CO's Stateroom. Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
Bowfin 295k Bowfin (SS-287) 25 March 2004 at Pearl Harbor, East Loch. Courtesy of Dorothy Switzer.
Bowfin 355k Sailors assigned to the Naval Station Pearl Harbor Firing Detail stand at parade rest near the submarine Bowfin (SS-287) 1 May 2003. The firing detail was part of the ceremonies at the Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bowfin's commissioning. Former Bowfin crew, including a former Bowfin Commanding Officer were in attendance at the ceremony. USN photo # N-0106C-003 by Journalist 1st Class Daniel J. Calderón, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
Bowfin 344k Marisco Ltd. workers repair the aging hull of the decommissioned Balao-class submarine Bowfin (SS-287) at their shipyard near the former Naval Air Station Barber's Point, during a restoration project on 5 October 2004. Bowfin has served as a floating museum for 23 years, and is moored next to the Arizona Memorial Visitor's Center. Known as the "Pearl Harbor Avenger," Bowfin was launched one year to the day after 7 December 1941 and was credited with sinking 44 enemy ships during the course of her nine extraordinary war patrols. USN photo # N-3019M-004 by Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
Bowfin 160k With a "peek-a-boo" view of the sun's corona from under the scaffolding, Marisco Ltd. workers repair the aging hull of the decommissioned Balao-class submarine Bowfin (SS-287) at their shipyard near the former Naval Air Station Barber's Point, during a restoration project on 5 October 2004. USN photo # N-3019M-001 by Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
Bowfin 183k Starboard view of the decommissioned Balao-class submarine Bowfin (SS-287) near the former Naval Air Station Barber's Point, during a restoration project on 5 October 2004. USN photo # N-3019M-002 by Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
Bowfin5.06k10 photo PDF of the Bowfin (SS-287), March 2015. Photos courtesy of Austin Oliver.
View the Bowfin (SS-287)
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
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Historical Naval Ships Visitors Guide-USS Bowfin (SS-287)
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
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