USS Swordfish- St. Paul, MN
N 44° 58.772 W 093° 08.695
15T E 488574 N 4980686
A monument placed in honor of the men of the USS Swordfish (SS193)sunk on January 12, 1945, during her 13th War Patrol. During her active runs, she sank 12 enemy ships totalling over 40,000 tons.
Waymark Code: WMJBCH
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date Posted: 10/24/2013
Views: 3
This memorial, consisting of a torpedo atop a brick monument, is dedicated to the 88 men aboard the USS Swordfish, SS193, which is believed to have been sunk either by mine or depth charge off the coast of Okinawa on January 12, 1945. She was the first US Submarine to sink a Japanese ship during WWII, and was awarded eight battle stars for her service. She was instrumental in evacuating the President of the Philippines and his family from Luzon.
The plaque on the North side of the monument reads:
THE U.S SUBMARINE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II MINNESOTA VIKINGS SQUADRON
PROUDLY DEDICATE THIS MEMORIAL TO THE VALIANT MEN OF THE
U.S.S. SWORDFISH SS193
SUNK BY ENEMY ACTION ON HER 13TH WAR PATROL ON JANUARY 12, 1945
AFTER SINKING 12 ENEMY SHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 47,926 TONS
COMMANDER K.E. MONTROSS, COMMANDING OFFICER
Underneath that it lists in alphabetical order the names of 88 men listed as crew of the Swordfish, although Wikipedia shows her as having a complement of 5 officers and 54 enlisted submariners.
The south face of the monument shows a roll of 52 US Submarines lost during World War II.
Relevent website: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
None, on open park ground. Although it is across the street from a residential area, so daylight hours are probably best for visiting.
Entrance fees (if any):
None
Sponsor(s): The US Submarine Veterans of World War II, Minnesota Vikings Squadron
Parking coordinates: Not Listed
Date dedicated: Not listed
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