USS. Growler - Lost at Sea - Pearl Harbour, Honolulu, Hawaii.
N 21° 22.100 W 157° 56.343
4Q E 609995 N 2363284
The U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II - Assigned USS Growler (SS-215) to the State of Hawaii. Launched: 22 November 1941 - Lost at sea 8th November 1944, with no graves for the Submariners, other than the sea. Plaques located at Pearl Harbor.
Waymark Code: WM11GEN
Location: Hawaii, United States
Date Posted: 10/20/2019
Views: 3
"USS Growler (SS-215) - A gato-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy named for the growler. Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 2 November 1941 and sponsored by Mrs. Lucile E. Ghormley, wife of Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Special Naval Observer to the United Kingdom. The boat was commissioned on 20 March 1942 with Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Gilmore in command.
Growler received eight battle stars for her service in World War II.
Eleventh patrol (October – November 1944)
Growler’s 11th and final war patrol began out of Fremantle on 20 October 1944 in a wolf pack with Hake (SS-256) and Hardhead (SS-365). On 8 November the wolf pack, again headed by Growler, closed a convoy for attack, with Growler on the opposite side of the enemy from Hake and Hardhead.
The order to commence attacking was the last communication ever received from Growler. After the attack was underway, Hake and Hardhead heard what sounded like a torpedo explosion and then a series of depth charges on Growler’s side of the convoy, and then nothing. All efforts to contact Growler for the next three days proved futile. The submarine, veteran of seven successful war patrols, was listed as lost in action against the enemy, cause unknown. Possibly she was sunk by one of her own torpedoes, but it is probable that she was sunk by the convoy's escorts, destroyer Shigure and coastal defense ships Chiburi and CD-19."
See more; (
visit link)
There are 2 Plaques next to each other, 1 placed by the US.Navy the other by "The U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II"
For a detailed explanation of the loss of USS.Growler see; (
visit link) & (
visit link)
A shorter Version can be found in my Photo Gallery.
Access instructions: Free to view USS. Growler Memorial plaque.
Website for Waymark: (
visit link)
Location of waymark:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Site, Bowlin Park, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Commemoration: The Submariners of USS Growler - Who lost their lives at Sea.