USS Wahoo (SS-238)

The first Wahoo (SS-238) was laid down on 28 June 1941 by the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif.; launched on 14 February 1942; sponsored by Mrs. William C. Barker, Jr.; and commissioned on 15 May 1942, Lt. Comdr. Marvin Granville Kennedy in command.

Following fitting out and initial training along the California coast which took the submarine as far south as San Diego, Wahoo departed San Francisco on 12 August, bound for Hawaii. She arrived at Pearl Harbor on 18 August and underwent exercise training until the 21st.

Two days later, the ship got underway for her firstwar patrol and stalked enemy shipping in waters near Truk, particularly in the area between the Hall Islands and the Namonuito Atoll. On 6 September, Wahoo fired three torpedoes at her first target, a lone freighter; but all probably missed, because the ship turned and headed for Wahoo. Wahoo "kept going," fearful of counterattack from the air. This retreat was a damaging blow for the crew. As one crew member put it, "After the exhausting months of drills, it was demoralizing to creep away submerged from that first target."

Continue to the full service history →About 5,010 words

From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Wahoo I (SS-238)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.