USS Besugo SS 321

The USS Besugo SS 321 was a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy that was originally launched on February 27^th, 1944 from the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut and was sponsored by a Mrs. P. J. Homer. The sub officially commissioned on June 19^th, 1944 under the leadership of Commander T. L. Wogan. After rigorous training exercises along the east coast of the U. S. the vessel was ready to be deployed for action. The headed south transiting through the Panama Canal and onward toward the Pacific Ocean driving for her destination of Pearl Harbor where she finally arrived on July 25^th, 1944.

The Besugo made a total of five successful war patrols between September 26^th, 1944 and July 25^th, 1945 during which time she operated within the Java Sea, the Makassar Strait and the South China Sea. On April 23^rd, 1945 while she was on a routine war patrol along those waters she encountered the German submarine U-183 and was thrust into a fierce fight where in the end, she sank the enemy vessel victoriously. During that time she also took down a ten thousand twenty ton tanker named the Nichei Maru, she also tore apart an LSV and large enemy frigate as well as a minesweeper totaling twenty two hundred sixty tons.

On August 29^th, 1945 the Besugo departed from Fremantle, Australia and headed for San Diego Bay, California arriving on September 26^th. After a massive overhaul, the sub returned to the Central Pacific where she operated out of Guam until she was ultimately transferred to Pearl Harbor on May 6^th, 1946. She remained and was based out of Pearl Harbor for the following eight years where between June 10^th, 1947 and April 11^th, 1951 she participated in two Far East tours of duty. In August of 1954 she headed to the west coast of the U. S. and docked at San Diego Bay, California where the remainder of her operations would be based out of.

The USS Besugo SS 321 was officially decommissioned on March 21^st, 1958 and was struck from the U. S. Naval Vessel Registry on November 15^th, 1975. The USS Besugo SS 321 was awarded four battle stars for service in World War II and one for the Korean War.

The USS Besugo SS 321 and her crewmembers served their country well across the seas. Unfortunately, the submarine also carried materials that were made with the deadly substance asbestos. Asbestos is a dangerous material that can lead to respiratory diseases, specifically the dangerous and rare cancer known as mesothelioma. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers, so it can be easily inhaled where it can cause great harm and can even be fatal. Crewmember who spent time on the USS Besugo SS 321 was put at risk of exposure to this toxic material. Anyone who has sailed aboard the USS Besugo should receive evaluations from a medical physician to determine whether or not they are at a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma, also referred to as asbestos cancer, and those diagnosed should seek mesothelioma treatment immediately.

Last modified: December 09 2009.