USS Batfiesh (SS310)
The most successful sub
killer of World War II, is now
high and dry in Muskogee,
Oklahoma.
The most successful sub
killer of World War II, is now
high and dry in Muskogee,
Oklahoma.
Submarine U.S.S. Batfish (SS310) - Muskogee, Oklahoma
| U.S.S. Batfish (SS310) The U.S.S. Batfish was the champion submarine killing sub of World War II and is now preserved in historic Muskogee, Oklahoma. |
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Torpedo Tubes on the Batfish
The U.S.S. Batfish sank 15
Japanese vessels during
World War II, including three
submarines in 76 hours.
The U.S.S. Batfish sank 15
Japanese vessels during
World War II, including three
submarines in 76 hours.
A Submarine in Oklahoma?
The Batfish was towed from
Texas to her current location
during remarkably high water
in 1972-1973.
The Batfish was towed from
Texas to her current location
during remarkably high water
in 1972-1973.
Lost Patrols of World War II
The walkway leading to the
Batfish is lined by more than
50 memorials that pay tribute
to the U.S. submarine patrols
that never came home during
World War II.
The walkway leading to the
Batfish is lined by more than
50 memorials that pay tribute
to the U.S. submarine patrols
that never came home during
World War II.
U.S.S. Batfish (SS310) - Muskogee, Oklahoma
Oklahoma's WWII Submarine
The sight of the U.S.S. Batfish resting on dry
land at War Memorial Park in Muskogee,
Oklahoma, is at first quite startling.
The famed submarine was a powerful U.S.
weapon during World War II. Named for a
ferocious West Indian fish, the Batfish sank
15 Japanese vessels during the war, among
them three submarines in just 76 hours. The
latter accomplishment has not since been
matched and U.S.S. Batfish to this day
remains the most successful submarine
killing sub in history.
The submarine service of the second world
war was far more dangerous than can
possibly be imagined. Fifty-two submarines
went down during the war, costing the
lives of 3,505 American servicemen. In the
end, though, they played a vital role in
ending Japan's threat on the seas and
helping to assure ultimate allied victory
over the Axis forces.
The Batfish was commissioned at
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on August 21,
1943. With an overall length of 312 feet,
she displaced 1,465 tons and presented an
armament of 10 torpedo tubes as well
as deck guns. In combat, she fired 71
torpedoes scoring 24 hits and sinking 15
enemy ships.
The submarine departed Pearl Harbor on its
first war patrol on December 11,
1943, just four days after the second
anniversary of the 1941 Japanese attack
there. Cruising off Honshu, Japan, she
damaged two freighters and sank the
cargo ship Hidaka Maru before arriving at
Midway on January 30, 1944.
Returning to sea on February 22, 1944, she
patrolled for 53 days before returning
with no opportunity for combat. The
submarine's third patrol, however, was much
more successful. Leaving Pearl Harbor on
May 26, 1944, the Batfish approached
the coast of Japan south of the cities of
Shikoku, Honshu and Kyushu. She sank a
Japanese training vessel and two cargo
ships with patrols before surfacing and
sinking a trawler and its escort vessel with
deck gun fire.
The fourth and fifth patrols reported similar
results, including the sinking of
several Japanese destroyers. It was the sixth
patrol, however, that achieved
lasting fame for the submarine. In 76 hours,
the Batfish attacked and sank three
Japanese submarines. No other submarine
has since duplicated this feat.
The Batfish made her final patrol in 1945.
After shelling the coast of Japan, she
rescued three downed American aviators
and returned to Midway on August 22,
1945. Her war role over, she returned to the
United States a short time later.
land at War Memorial Park in Muskogee,
Oklahoma, is at first quite startling.
The famed submarine was a powerful U.S.
weapon during World War II. Named for a
ferocious West Indian fish, the Batfish sank
15 Japanese vessels during the war, among
them three submarines in just 76 hours. The
latter accomplishment has not since been
matched and U.S.S. Batfish to this day
remains the most successful submarine
killing sub in history.
The submarine service of the second world
war was far more dangerous than can
possibly be imagined. Fifty-two submarines
went down during the war, costing the
lives of 3,505 American servicemen. In the
end, though, they played a vital role in
ending Japan's threat on the seas and
helping to assure ultimate allied victory
over the Axis forces.
The Batfish was commissioned at
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on August 21,
1943. With an overall length of 312 feet,
she displaced 1,465 tons and presented an
armament of 10 torpedo tubes as well
as deck guns. In combat, she fired 71
torpedoes scoring 24 hits and sinking 15
enemy ships.
The submarine departed Pearl Harbor on its
first war patrol on December 11,
1943, just four days after the second
anniversary of the 1941 Japanese attack
there. Cruising off Honshu, Japan, she
damaged two freighters and sank the
cargo ship Hidaka Maru before arriving at
Midway on January 30, 1944.
Returning to sea on February 22, 1944, she
patrolled for 53 days before returning
with no opportunity for combat. The
submarine's third patrol, however, was much
more successful. Leaving Pearl Harbor on
May 26, 1944, the Batfish approached
the coast of Japan south of the cities of
Shikoku, Honshu and Kyushu. She sank a
Japanese training vessel and two cargo
ships with patrols before surfacing and
sinking a trawler and its escort vessel with
deck gun fire.
The fourth and fifth patrols reported similar
results, including the sinking of
several Japanese destroyers. It was the sixth
patrol, however, that achieved
lasting fame for the submarine. In 76 hours,
the Batfish attacked and sank three
Japanese submarines. No other submarine
has since duplicated this feat.
The Batfish made her final patrol in 1945.
After shelling the coast of Japan, she
rescued three downed American aviators
and returned to Midway on August 22,
1945. Her war role over, she returned to the
United States a short time later.
Oklahoma's submarine and her crew were
awarded 10 Bronze Star Medals, 9 Battle
Stars, 4 Silver Stars, one Navy Cross and
one Presidential Unit Citation.
Decommissioned for the final time in 1969,
the Batfish was struck from the Navy
List on February 28, 1972. She arrived at the
Port of Muskogee on May 7, 1972,
where she now rests on dry land as a
permanent memorial to the American
submarine fleet and the men who served
beneath the waves.
Now the centerpiece of War Memorial Park,
the Batfish is located right off Exit 33 from the
Muskogee Turnpike in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Just look for the "Port of Muskogee" and "War
Memorial Park" signs. Once you exit the
turnpike, follow the "U.S.S. Batfish" signs to
the submarine. The park also includes an
outstanding museum and many other
displays.
Hours:
(March 15 - October 15)
Wednesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
(October 16 - March 14)
Thursday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for AAA; $4 for
62+ and retired military; $3 for kids 7-13.
(Kids under 7 are admitted free with an adult).
Please click here to learn more by visiting the
official site.
awarded 10 Bronze Star Medals, 9 Battle
Stars, 4 Silver Stars, one Navy Cross and
one Presidential Unit Citation.
Decommissioned for the final time in 1969,
the Batfish was struck from the Navy
List on February 28, 1972. She arrived at the
Port of Muskogee on May 7, 1972,
where she now rests on dry land as a
permanent memorial to the American
submarine fleet and the men who served
beneath the waves.
Now the centerpiece of War Memorial Park,
the Batfish is located right off Exit 33 from the
Muskogee Turnpike in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Just look for the "Port of Muskogee" and "War
Memorial Park" signs. Once you exit the
turnpike, follow the "U.S.S. Batfish" signs to
the submarine. The park also includes an
outstanding museum and many other
displays.
Hours:
(March 15 - October 15)
Wednesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
(October 16 - March 14)
Thursday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for AAA; $4 for
62+ and retired military; $3 for kids 7-13.
(Kids under 7 are admitted free with an adult).
Please click here to learn more by visiting the
official site.
Muskogee Area Historic Sites
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Explore other Southern Historic Sites
2014 Muskogee Azalea Festival
Battle of Honey Springs, Oklahoma
Fort Gibson Historic Site
Milly Francis, The Creek Pocahontas
Historic Sites in Oklahoma
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
| Copyright 2011 & 2014 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. Last Update: March 31, 2014 |
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