USS Redfish SS 395
The USS Redfish SS 395 was a Balao-class submarine that was originally launched on January 27th, 1944 from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard out of Kittery, Maine and was sponsored by a Miss Ruth Roper. The newly constructed submarine was officially commissioned on April 12th, 1944 under the leadership of Commander Louis D. McGregor. Following her initial trials and training she headed south in order to transit the Panama Canal and move west out into the Pacific where she arrived to her new home base at Pearl Harbor on June 27th, 1944. She began her first war patrol on July 23rd where she traveled through the waters surrounding the formidable area of Formosa.
While she was there conducting her patrol she encountered and sank an enemy transport ship, a passenger cargo ship and a large tanker. She pulled into Midway on October 2nd, 1944. She embarked on her second war patrol departing from Midway on October 25th heading first for Saipan for fuel and supplies and then on the perilous waters ahead. During this patrol she hunted and successfully sank an enemy transport ship and heavily damaged a Japanese aircraft carrier along with the USS Sea Devil SS 400 and although not sinking her she put her out of commission for the remainder of the war.
While patrolling the waters off Mindoro on December 19th, 1944 she encountered the massive Japanese aircraft carrier, the Unryu and immediately and fearlessly engaged her target. Redfish was able to sink the 18,500-ton newly built juggernaut. As soon as she confirmed her kill she went deep diving to avoid the aggressive counterattack by the enemy seeking retribution for the knockout punch that the USS Redfish just served the Japanese Imperial Fleet.
When the Japanese formally surrendered on August 15th, 1945 the Redfish was ordered to Guam until January of 1946 where she conducted observational duty. She operated between the west coast from San Diego and Hawaii for the years up to the Korean War where on February 2nd, 1951 she sailed to the Sea of Japan in support of United Nations forces trying to keep the peace there. The USS Redfish SS 395 was decommissioned on June 28th, 1968 and was sunk as a target off San Diego on February 6th, 1969. She was awarded two battle stars for World War II service.
Throughout her history, the USS Redfish SS 395 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 Redfish 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 type of asbestos cancer. Any veterans of the USS Redfish who may be concerned that they’ve been exposed to asbestos should closely monitor their respiratory health and consult a medical physician immediately.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
