USS Cavalla (SS-244) (Galveston, Texas)
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Raven
N 29° 20.052 W 094° 46.731
15R E 327285 N 3246326
The USS Cavalla (SS-244) is a WWII Gato-class submarine, best known for sinking the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku (a veteran of the Pearl Harbor attack). It now lays to rest at an attraction at Seawolf Park,north of Galveston Texas.
Waymark Code: WMWVR1
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/18/2017
Views: 3
Commissioned on 29 February 1944, the USS Cavalla (SS-244) is a Gato-class US Navy submarine. She is named for a salt water fish of the pompano family inhabiting waters off the eastern coast of the Americas from Cape Cod to Rio de la Plata.
The USS Cavalla conducted a total of 6 patrols during WWII's Pacific Conflict. Her maiden patrol rendered her the distinguished service that earned her a Presidential Unit Citation: en route to her station in the eastern Philippines in June 1944, Cavalla made contact with a large Japanese task force. She tracked the force for several hours, then relayed invaluable information which contributed heavily to the overwhelming US victory scored in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (the famous "Marianas Turkey Shoot"). With this great service completed, Cavalla continued her pursuit -- on June 19th she caught up with the carrier Shokaku landing planes and quickly fired a spread of six torpedoes for three hits, enough to send Shokaku to the bottom. After a severe depth charging by three destroyers, Cavalla escaped to continue her patrol.
The submarine conducted 5 more Pacific patrols, none of them truly mentionable. She was placed out of commission in reserve in March 1946, then recommissioned in 1951 to engage in various fleet exercises in the Caribbean and off Nova Scotia, as well as other duties.
Her final decommision was in 1969; she was ultimately donated to Seawolf Park, where she now resides in dry dock as a memorial and visitors attraction.
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