The USS Bowfin was a Baleo ship and named for the Bowfin fish, a scrappy mean looking fish with powerful jaws. It was commissioned on December 7, 1942 a year to the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Some say it was the "Avenger of Pearl Harbor". It had nine successful patrols sinking 44 enemy ships during the war. It was decommissioned after WWII but was recommissioned in 1951 to run patrols during the Korean War. After the Korean war it was moved to San Diego where it became a training submarine. In 1961 it moved to Seattle, Washington and the Naval Reserves used it as a training sub. In 1971 it was decommissioned for it's final time and moved to Pearl Harbor to become a National Landmark and Museum.
The USS Bowfin is a great attraction that must be visited while visiting the USS Arizona. The tour of the ship is self led but includes an audio tour which is very informative and very interesting. We did the tour and it was neat because not only did we board the ship but we got to go below deck where we proceeded to see the whole sub from the bow to the stern. We went through hatches and really saw what life was like on the submarine. On the top deck of the sub there were some great views of the USS Arizona, the USS Missouri and the Pearl Harbor Historical Sites park. It was a wonderful experience and I am glad we got to do it. Aloha!
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