![]() The museum includes an extensive look at the fascinating history of submarines from the first daring attempt in 1776 to use a submersible in warfare to the feats of today’s nuclear submarines. Bowfin Park’s parent organization, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA), is a non-profit group that receives no state or federal funding. Mission Statement:USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park’s mission is to restore and preserve the WWII submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287). As we remember the events of Pearl Harbor and World War II, the Bowfin stands as an enduring testament to the tenacity of those who fought, and an ongoing reminder of the immense sacrifices made in the name of freedom. She continues to be a powerful symbol of American resilience and resolve, an embodiment of the unyielding spirit that led the United States through some of its darkest hours. The experience is both sobering and enlightening, revealing the reality of submarine warfare in a way that books and films can never fully encapsulate.ĭespite the passage of time, the USS Bowfin’s legacy remains undiminished. Visitors to the Bowfin can take a journey back in time, exploring the torpedo rooms, the control room, the galley, and the cramped quarters where the crew slept. She exists not only as a symbol of American heroism and resilience in the face of adversity but also as an educational tool, providing a tangible connection to a momentous era that reshaped the world. Her war record and post-war reincarnation as a museum give the USS Bowfin a dual legacy. ![]() ![]() As part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the submarine is a poignant reminder of the past and an opportunity to step into the shoes of the brave men who served during one of the most turbulent periods in global history. Today, the USS Bowfin rests in the heart of Pearl Harbor, berthed adjacent to the USS Arizona Memorial. ![]() She avoided the scrapyard, though, finding a new purpose as an artifact of history, serving as a living testament to the valor of those who served on board. Post-war, the USS Bowfin was decommissioned and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1971. It was a tactical triumph of undersea warfare, a story of raw courage and the unyielding determination of the crew, each of whom played their part in steering the course of World War II. Her exploits in the Pacific were instrumental in destabilizing the Japanese naval supply chain, directly contributing to the Allied victory in the Pacific. Despite facing close calls, including a devastating depth charge attack during her second patrol, the Bowfin emerged from each ordeal more resolute than ever, reinforcing her status as the Pearl Harbor Avenger. In total, the USS Bowfin embarked on nine successful war patrols, sinking a confirmed 15 Japanese vessels and inflicting significant damage on a further seven. Willingham, the submarine engaged the enemy off the coasts of Japan and the East Indies, sinking two enemy cargo ships and damaging two others. Under the command of Lieutenant Commander Joseph H. Her first patrol, which began on August 19, 1943, set the tone for the exploits to follow. ![]() In the days following her commissioning, the Bowfin wasted no time in making her presence felt. Her commissioning into the United States Navy in May 1943 marked the beginning of a series of successful war patrols that would indelibly ink her name into the annals of naval history. Named after a freshwater fish found predominantly in North America, the USS Bowfin (SS-287) was a Balao-class submarine. Launched on December 7, 1942, precisely one year after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Bowfin seemed destined for vengeance. This formidable warship played a pivotal role in the Pacific theater, earning a reputation as a force to be reckoned with and becoming an enduring symbol of America’s fighting spirit. The USS Bowfin, often christened as the “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” has graced the pages of World War II history with a distinctive blend of bravery, resilience, and resolve. The Silent Hero of Pearl Harbor: A Salute to the USS Bowfin USS Bowfin Tickets – USS Bowfin Ship Specifications ![]()
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