USS Paddle SS 263
The USS Paddle SS 263 was a Gato-class submarine that was launched on December 30th, 1942 and was sponsored by a Mrs. William M. Fechteler ho was the wife of the future Chief of Naval Operations Admiral William M. Fechteler. The newly constructed submarine was commissioned on March 23rd, 1943 under the command of Lieutenant Commander R. H. Rice. Following her shakedown trials and operational training off the coast of New London, Connecticut, she finally departed on June 8th, 1943 heading south to transit the Panama Canal and move west into the Pacific and arriving at her intended destination and new home base of operations at Pearl Harbor on July 5th.
The USS Paddle SS 263 began her first war patrol on July 20th which lasted until September 12th during which she had traveled the waters just south of Japan and was very successful in her enemy contacts and engagements. On August 13th, she was able to score a major hit on large freighter before being forced down below the surface for thirteen hours to avoid depth charge counterattacks from escorts that had been traveling along with the Japanese cargo ship.
During her second patrol from October 17th until November 9th she stationed herself off of Nauru where she assisted the carrier task force that was attacking the Gilbert and the Marshall Islands in order to cover the Tarawa landings by the U. S. ground forces. From March of 1944 until August of 1944 the Paddle conducted a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth successfully carried out war patrol that took her from the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines to the Celebes Sea and Saipan.
When the war ended and the Japanese surrendered on August 15th, she was ordered to Midway Atoll on August 17th before heading to the mainland. She was placed into reserve at New London and was officially decommissioned on February 1st, 1946. She was then re-commissioned on August 31st, 1956 in preparation for her transfer to Brazil under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. She was decommissioned and transferred on January 18th, 1957 and was simultaneously commissioned to the Brazilian Navy. The USS Paddle SS 263 was struck from the Naval Vessel Registry on June 30th, 1968. The Paddle was awarded eight battle stars for her World War II service.
Throughout her history, the USS Paddle SS 263 provided valuable support and training for the Navy. Her crews served her well without being aware that they were facing danger from an invisible enemy. The Paddle was constructed with asbestos used as a common insulator of duct systems and pipes within the submarine. Now we know that crewmen who worked in close proximity with asbestos are at risk for a variety of respiratory problems including mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer. Any veterans of the USS Paddle SS 263 who may be concerned that they’ve been exposed to asbestos should closely monitor their respiratory health and consult a medical physician.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
