USS Becuna (SS-319)

USS "Becuna" (SS/AGSS-319), a "Balao"-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the becuna, a pike-like fish of Europe.

"Becuna" (SS-319) was launched 30 January 1944 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by Mrs. George C. Crawford, wife of Commander Crawford, and commissioned 27 May 1944, Lieutenant Commander H. D. Sturr in command.

"Becuna" departed New London 1 July 1944 and arrived at Pearl Harbor 29 July. Her war operations extended from 23 August 1944 to 27 July 1945. During this period she completed five war patrols in the Philippines, South China Sea, and Java Sea. "Becuna" is credited with having sunk two Japanese tankers totaling 3888 tons. For detailed accounts, see [ [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7612/bechist.html History of Becuna ] ] and. [ [http://www.phillyseaport.org/historicships/becunawarpatrols.html Seaport, Museum, Gifts, Nautical, Models, Store, Books, Philadelphia, Penn's Landing, Maritime, Cruiser, OLYMPIA, Submarine, BECUNA, Dewey, Ship, War ] ]

The submarine arrived at Subic Bay, Luzon, from her last war patrol 27 July 1945. In September 1945 she arrived at San Diego, California. "Becuna" continued to operate with Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, until April 1949 when she was ordered to Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, as a unit of Submarine Squadron 8.

Between May 1949 and May 1950 she conducted refresher training exercises and also assisted in training of student officers and men at New London, Conn. In November 1950 she returned to Electric Boat Co., for a complete modernization overhaul, being refitted as a GUPPY-type submarine. Overhaul completed in August 1951, "Becuna" sailed to the Caribbean for shakedown. She returned to New London in September 1951.

"Becuna" operated with the Atlantic Fleet, making two cruises with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean and one to Scotland. Other than these extended cruises, the majority of "Becuna"'s service was at New London as a training submarine.

"Becuna" was reclassified an Auxiliary Submarine, AGSS-319, in 1969. She was decommissioned, 7 November 1969, and laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She reverted to SS-319 in 1971. She was struck from the Naval Register, 15 August 1973. "Becuna" was placed on permanent display at the Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 June 1976, where she has been designated a National Historic Landmark. [ [http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1785&ResourceType=Structure Listing at the National Park Service] ]

"Becuna" received four battle stars for her World War II service.

External links

* [http://www.hnsa.org/ships/becuna.htm HNSA Web Page: USS Becuna]
*navsource|08/08319|Becuna
* [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7612/becuna.html USS "Becuna" Home Page]
* [http://www.phillyseaport.org/historicships/becuna.html Seaport Museum: USS "Becuna"]

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4/becuna-i.htm|http://hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss319.htm