The “Pearl Harbor Avenger” that terrorized Japan’s Pacific fleet for 9 straight war patrols

USS Bowfin: The Pearl Harbor Avenger

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard got orders to build new submarines on December 15, 1941, just eight days after the Pearl Harbor attack. Work on USS Bowfin started on July 23, 1942.

Workers launched the submarine on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. This timing gave Bowfin its nickname: “The Pearl Harbor Avenger.”

Mrs. Jane Gawne, wife of the shipyard captain, christened the vessel. The Navy put USS Bowfin into service on May 1, 1943, with Commander Joseph Willingham in charge.

First War Patrol Establishes Fighting Reputation

Bowfin trained in Connecticut before heading to the Pacific through the Panama Canal. The submarine reached Australia to prepare for battle.

On August 19, 1943, Bowfin left Australia and moved north. Commander Willingham led the crew into the Mindanao Sea on September 2 for their first mission.

The submarine joined USS Billfish on September 24 to hunt Japanese ships together. They found a six-ship convoy and chased it for five hours. Bowfin fired torpedoes at a cargo ship and transport.

Five hit their targets. The submarine then fired four more at a tanker. The attack sank the 8,120-ton ship Kirishima Maru and damaged two other vessels that limped away.

Special Operations in the Philippines

During its first patrol, Bowfin did more than hunt ships. The submarine brought supplies to Filipino fighters resisting Japanese control.

After this mission, Bowfin picked up nine Americans from the Philippines. One had survived the brutal Bataan Death March of April 1942.

The submarine returned to Australia on October 10, 1943, finishing its first combat patrol. Admiral Ralph Christie praised the crew for their success.

Presidential Unit Citation for Second Patrol

Lieutenant Commander Walter Griffith took over for Bowfin’s second patrol starting November 1, 1943. The submarine headed to the South China Sea to attack Japanese shipping.

Between November 26 and 28, Bowfin sank multiple ships near Indochina. These included the Kirishima Maru, Ogurasan Maru, Tainan Maru, and a French ship called Van Vollenhoven.

The submarine attacked so fiercely that Japanese ships dropped many depth charges to try to sink it. The crew’s bravery during this patrol earned Bowfin the Presidential Unit Citation, one of the highest military honors.

Admiral Christie Joins Third Patrol

On January 8, 1944, Bowfin left for its third patrol under Lieutenant Commander Griffith. This time, Admiral Ralph Christie came along.

Christie became the only admiral to join a submarine combat mission during World War II. He watched Bowfin hunt Japanese ships in the Celebes Sea.

During this patrol, Bowfin found a Japanese destroyer on January 16. Griffith attacked at night, firing four torpedoes.

Two torpedoes hit the warship, causing heavy damage. Japanese ships hunted Bowfin for 10 hours, dropping depth charges that forced the submarine to hide underwater.

Hunting Convoys in the Celebes Sea

Bowfin started its fourth war patrol on February 28, 1944. Lieutenant Commander Griffith took the submarine back to the Celebes Sea.

On March 24, after a long chase, Bowfin caught a five-ship convoy. The submarine fired torpedoes, sinking two cargo ships: the Sinkyo Maru and Bengal Maru.

The attack damaged a third ship, but Bowfin ran out of torpedoes. The submarine returned to Darwin on April 1, 1944.

Commander John Corbus took over from Griffith for future missions. The crew got ready for their fifth patrol.

Lifeguard Duties Save American Pilots

Bowfin left Australia on April 25, 1944, for its fifth patrol. Commander Corbus took the submarine on a 4,000-mile trip to Palau.

On May 14, Bowfin hit a Japanese cargo ship with two torpedoes. The ship stayed afloat despite direct hits. With no torpedoes left, the submarine switched to lifeguard duty.

Lifeguard duty meant waiting in areas where American planes bombed Japanese targets. Submarines rescued pilots who crashed in the ocean.

Bowfin saved several downed pilots during this mission. The submarine ended its fifth patrol at Pearl Harbor on June 21, 1944.

Minami Daito

After repairs at Pearl Harbor, Bowfin began its sixth patrol on July 16, 1944. The submarine stopped at Midway Island before heading toward Okinawa.

On August 22, Bowfin did something unusual. The submarine rose to the surface near Minami Daito island and fired its deck gun at shore targets.

During this attack, Bowfin destroyed a dock with a crane and a nearby bus. This odd victory appeared on the submarine’s battle flag with the words “Sighted bus, sank crane.”

The Navy gave the crew a Unit Commendation for this patrol. Bowfin returned to Pearl Harbor after sinking seven small vessels and one large ship.

Special Equipment for Sea of Japan Mission

Bowfin’s final patrol began on May 29, 1945. The submarine used new sonar equipment that could detect underwater mines.

This special gear allowed Bowfin to navigate through dangerous minefields in the Tsushima Strait. The submarine entered the heavily defended Sea of Japan.

On June 11, Bowfin found and sank the cargo ship Shinyo Maru No. 3. Two days later, the submarine sank another ship called Akiura Maru.

The submarine escaped the Sea of Japan and returned to Pearl Harbor on July 4, 1945. This was Bowfin’s ninth and final combat patrol of the war.

Impressive Combat Record Despite Challenges

Bowfin’s commanders reported sinking 44 enemy ships. Official Navy records credited Bowfin with 16 large ships and 22 smaller vessels.

This record made Bowfin the 15th most successful submarine in World War II. The crew faced constant danger from depth charges, mines, and air attacks.

During nine patrols, only one crew member was injured in combat. Reid Lee received a Purple Heart for his wounds. The submarine’s battle flag showed all its victories.

Bowfin earned three major awards: the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Post-War Career and Preservation

After World War II, the Navy took Bowfin out of service in February 1947. The submarine returned to duty during the Korean War in July 1951.

Bowfin trained sailors in San Diego until 1954, then moved to Seattle in 1960 to train reservists. The Navy finally retired the submarine on December 1, 1971.

The Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association saved Bowfin in 1979. They brought the submarine to Pearl Harbor, where it opened to the public on April 1, 1981.

Visiting USS Bowfin at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum

USS Bowfin now welcomes visitors at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a museum ship. You can find the submarine at 11 Arizona Memorial Drive, next to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum features over 4,000 items showing how Bowfin earned its “Pearl Harbor Avenger” nickname. Museum exhibits explain the submarine’s nine war patrols and 44 enemy ships sunk.

Admission costs apply for adults and children (ages 4–12). Check pearlharborhistoricsites.org for more details.. The museum opens daily.

Children under age 4 cannot board the submarine due to safety rules. A self-guided audio tour comes with your ticket. The tour takes about 30 minutes to complete.

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