Stories From the US Submarine Force
The story of the USS Scorpion (SS-278) begins with her launch on July 20, 1942, at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. A sleek Gato-class submarine, she was part of a formidable fleet that would define the U.S. Navy’s undersea warfare in World War II. Named after the scorpion, a creature known for its stealth and sting, she embodied these qualities in her missions across the Pacific theater.
The month of January was pivotal for the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet throughout World War II, showcasing its growing dominance in the Pacific theater. From the early war’s cautious beginnings to later aggressive campaigns, January consistently highlighted the Silent Service’s ability to strike both military and logistical targets. Across these years, the January campaigns demonstrated the Silent Service’s evolution into a decisive force, crippling Japan’s war machine and cementing its role as a cornerstone of Allied success in the Pacific. Continue reading “WWII Patrol Reports – January”
The final days of 1941 were a grim chapter for the United States Navy. The devastating attack on Pearl Harbor had left the Pacific Fleet crippled, with eight battleships sunk or heavily damaged, three cruisers and four destroyers similarly incapacitated, and over 2,400 Americans killed. The harbor’s waters, once bustling with activity, were now a murky graveyard of oil-slicked wreckage. The Navy’s confidence was shaken, and the American public demanded leadership that could reverse the tide of despair. Continue reading “Grayling Hosts the PACFLT Change of Command”
Patrol Reports 