Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Submarine

USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) — service history

This is the full service history. For the vessel's particulars, photograph and specifications, see the entry.

In the words of the US Navy. The account below is reproduced verbatim from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command — a work of the United States Government, in the public domain, and the only text on this site not written here.

Interwar 1919–1938

1931

Originally named V-9 (SC-5) , the submarine was renamed Cuttlefish on 19 February 1931 and redesignated SS-171 on 1 July 1931, prior to the laying of her keel on 7 October. Launched 21 November 1933 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by Mrs. B. S. Bullard; and commissioned 8 June 1934, Lieutenant Commander C. W. Styer in command.

1935

Departing New London 15 May 1935, Cuttlefish arrived at San Diego 22 June. She sailed on torpedo practice and fleet tactics along the west coast, as well as in the Hawaiian Islands, until 28 June 1937 when she sailed for the Panama Canal, Miami, New York, and New London.

1937

Arriving at New London 28 July 1937 she conducted experimental torpedo firing, sound training, and other operations for the Submarine School. She sailed from New York 22 October 1938 for Coco Solo, C.Z., where she conducted diving operations and other exercises for the training of submariners until 20 March 1939, sailing then for Mare Island.

Second World War 1939–1945

1939

Cuttlefish arrived at Pearl Harbor 16 June 1939 and was based there on patrol duty, as well as joining in battle problems and exercises in the Hawaiian area. That autumn she cruised to the Samoan Islands, and in 1940 to the west coast. On 5 October 1941 she cleared Pearl Harbor for an overhaul at Mare Island, enemy plane caught her on the surface and dropped two bombs as she went under, both of them misses.

1942 Midway

As it became obvious that the Japanese Fleet was out in strength, Cuttlefish was ordered to patrol about 700 miles west of Midway, remaining on station during the Battle of Midway of 4 to 6 June 1942. She returned to Pearl Harbor 15 June, and there and at Midway prepared for her third war patrol, for which she sailed 29 July. Patrolling off the Japanese homeland, she attacked a destroyer on 18 August, and received a punishing depth charge attack. Three days later she launched a spread of torpedoes, three of which hit a freighter and one of which hit an escort. Explosions were seen, but the sinking could not be confirmed. On 5 September she attacked a tanker which, it is believed, she sunk.

Returning to Pearl Harbor 20 September 1942, Cuttlefish was ordered to New London, where she served the Submarine School as a training ship from December 1942 until October 1945. She was decommissioned at Philadelphia 24 October 1945 and sold 12 February 1947.

Cuttlefish's third war patrol was designated as "successful," and she received one battle star for that patrol and one for her service during the Battle of Midway.

Other photographs

Held for this vessel, and not tied to any part of the account above.

USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)
Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)
Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)
(SS-171) Underway, circa 1934. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — This image has been extracted from another file — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)
(SS-171) Underway, circa 1934. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Unknown author — 19-N-14770 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

References

Every work this entry draws on. There are no numbered markers in the text above: what we hold is the provenance of the page — this history, this article, these photographs.

  1. History Cuttlefish (SS-171) Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Naval History and Heritage Command. A work of the United States Government, in the public domain — the only text on this site reproduced verbatim.
  2. Facts USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS Cuttlefish SS171 Unknown author — https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nara-series/80-g-k/80-G-K-03000/80-G-K-3350.html — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)- Main Deck, Outboard Profile - NARA - 78116495 Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)- Platform Deck; Hold; Inboard Profile - NARA - 78116493 Unknown author or not provided — U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph USS Cuttlefish - 19-N-14770 Unknown author — This image has been extracted from another file — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph USS Cuttlefish - 19-N-14770 Unknown author — 19-N-14770 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons