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USS Becuna
Becuna (SS-319), after commissioning in May 1944.
USS Becuna (SS-319) after commissioning in May 1944.
History
United States
NamesakeBecuna
Ordered10 April 1942
BuilderElectric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut[1]
Laid down29 April 1943[1]
Launched30 January 1944[1]
Sponsored byMrs. George C. Crawford, wife of Commander Crawford
Commissioned27 May 1944[1]
Decommissioned7 November 1969[1]
Stricken15 August 1973[1]
MottoTiger of the Sea
Honors &
awards		4 Battle Stars
StatusMuseum ship at Philadelphia, 21 June 1976[2]
Badge
General characteristics As built
Class & typeBalao-class diesel-electric submarine[2]
Displacement
  • 1,500 long tons (1,500 t) surfaced[2]
  • 2,080 long tons (2,110 t) submerged[2]
Length311 ft 9 in (95.02 m)[2]
Beam27 ft 3 in (8.31 m)[2]
Draft16 ft 10 in (5.13 m) maximum[2]
Propulsion
Speed
  • 20.25 knots (38 km/h) surfaced[3]
  • 8.75 knots (16 km/h) submerged[3]
Range11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km) surfaced at 10 knots (19 km/h)[3]
Endurance
  • 48 hours at 2 knots (3.7 km/h) submerged[3]
  • 75 days on patrol
Test depth400 ft (120 m)[3]
Complement10 officers, 72 enlisted[3]
Armament
General characteristics Guppy IA
Class & typenone
Displacement
  • 1,830 tons (1,859 t) surfaced[5]
  • 2,440 tons (2,479 t) submerged[5]
Length307 ft 7 in (93.75 m)[6]
Beam27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)[6]
Draft17 ft (5.2 m)[6]
Propulsion
Speed
  • Surfaced:17.3 knots (32.0 km/h) maximum
  • 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h) cruising
  • Submerged: 15.0 knots (27.8 km/h) for 1⁄2 hour
  • 7.5 knots (13.9 km/h) snorkeling
  • 3.0 knots (5.6 km/h) cruising[5]
Range17,000 nmi (31,000 km; 20,000 mi) surfaced at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)[6]
Endurance36 hours at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged[6]
Complement
  • 10 officers
  • 5 petty officers
  • 64–69 enlisted men
Armament
USS Becuna (SS-319)
USS Becuna is located in Pennsylvania
USS Becuna
LocationPenn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. & Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Arealess than one acre
Built1944
Built byElectric Boat Co.
Architectural styleBalao-class submarine
NRHP reference No.78002458[7]
Added to NRHP29 August 1978

USS Becuna (SS/AGSS-319), a Balao-class submarine in commission from 1944 to 1969, was a submarine of the United States Navy named for the becuna, a pike-like fish of Europe. During World War II, she conducted five war patrols between 23 August 1944 and 27 July 1945, operating in the Philippine Islands, South China Sea, and Java Sea. She is credited with sinking two Japanese tankers totaling 3,888 gross register tons.[8]

After World War II, Becuna operated as part of the United States Pacific Fleet from 1945 to 1949. She served in the United States Atlantic Fleet from 1949 to 1969, primarily as a training ship, although she also made two deployments with the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.[citation needed]

After her decommissioning, Becuna was designated a National Historic Landmark for her service in World War II. She became a museum ship at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[citation needed]

Construction and commissioning

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Becuna was laid down on 29 April 1943 by the Electric Boat Company at Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 30 January 1944, sponsored by Mrs. George C. Crawford, and commissioned on 27 May 1944.

Service history

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World War II

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May–August 1944

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After shakedown training from Naval Submarine Base New London, Becuna departed Groton on 1 July 1944 and arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 29 July 1944. She then conducted additional training in the Hawaiian Islands.

First war patrol

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Becuna departed Pearl Harbor on 23 August 1944 for her first war patrol. After patrolling for a month without spotting anything but aircraft, she surfaced on the afternoon of 25 September 1944 and her lookouts spied a convoy of three Japanese merchant ships escorted by a destroyer. Becuna submerged and fired a spread of six torpedoes. While she evaded a retaliatory depth-charge attack, her crew heard an explosion but could not verify any sinkings; although she claimed to have destroyed two tankers in the convoy, postwar examination of Japanese records failed to verify the kills. She had a similar experience on 8 October 1944 when she launched torpedoes at a heavily escorted tanker north of Palawan Passage in the Philippine Islands. Again her crew heard two distinct explosions but were too busy dodging depth charges to observe the results of the attack. On 9 October 1944, however, she recorded her first verifiable success when she joined the submarine USS Hawkbill (SS-366) in sinking the 1,943-gross register ton Japanese cargo ship Tokuwa Maru. Later in October 1944, she concluded her patrol, putting into Fremantle, Australia, for a refit.

Second war patrol

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On 16 November 1944, Becuna stood out of Fremantle and embarked on her second war patrol. She cruised the waters of the South China Sea off the southern coast of Japanese-occupied French Indochina searching for Japanese fleet units. On 23 December 1944 she encountered the Japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara and light cruiser Oyodo, which she mistakenly identified as a Yamato-class battleship and a "Nachi-class"(i.e., Myōkō-class) heavy cruiser, respectively. Lack of time prevented her from achieving a favorable setup before they entered Cam Ranh Bay on the coast of French Indochina. The remainder of Becuna′s patrol proved almost equally unsuccessful. She destroyed floating naval mines and, on her way back to Fremantle, sank two "sea trucks" — the American term for a type of small Japanese cargo ship — with her deck gun just north of Lombok Strait. During January 1945 she underwent a refit at Fremantle.

Third war patrol

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Becuna embarked on her third war patrol in February 1945. She returned to the South China Sea off the coast of French Indochina, where she encountered a Japanese convoy off Cap Padaran on the morning of 22 February 1945. She fired a spread of torpedoes at the tanker Nichiryu Maru and sent her to the bottom. She endured a barrage of 70 depth charges from two escort vessels before escaping. She sighted no other Japanese shipping, and her patrol ended with her arrival at Subic Bay on Luzon in the Philippine Islands, where she underwent a refit.

Fourth war patrol

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Becuna departed Subic Bay to begin her fourth war patrol in May 1945. She sighted no Japanese ships, and proceeded to Fremantle, where she arrived in early June 1945 and underwent a refit.

Fifth war patrol

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On 21 June 1945, Becuna got underway from Fremantle for her fifth war patrol. On two occasions, Imperial Japanese Navy floatplanes on antisubmarine patrol subjected her to bombing attacks. Then, on the night of 15 July 1945, she made radar contact on a single fast-moving target in the Java Sea. After tracking it for several hours, she fired a spread of torpedoes in a night surface attack. They all missed, but the submarine USS Baya (SS-318) took up the chase and sank the vessel, the Ambon Island-bound Japanese torpedo boat Kari. Becuna concluded her patrol at Subic Bay late in July 1945. While she was still undergoing a refit there, World War II ended on 15 August 1945 with the cessation of hostilities with Japan.

Post-World War II service

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Becuna returned to the United States at San Diego, California, on 22 September 1945. She then served in the United States Pacific Fleet until 1949, conducting submarine crew training missions and participating in various multiship exercises. She visited Japan from 15 November – 9 December 1947 and from 31 October – 6 November 1948 and China from 7 to 29 November 1948.[9]

In April 1949, Becuna was transferred to the United States Atlantic Fleet as a unit of Submarine Squadron 8. She operated from Groton, Connecticut, conducting refresher training exercises and frequently serving as a school ship for students at the Submarine School. That duty continued until November 1950, when she entered the shipyard of the Electric Boat Company at Groton for nine-month conversion under the Greater Underwater Propulsive Power (GUPPY) Program to a GUPPY IA submarine. She received additional batteries, a submarine snorkel, and a streamlined sail as well as a number of other modifications to various items of equipment.

Becuna completed the conversion in August 1951 and then conducted shakedown and refresher training in the West Indies. She returned to Naval Submarine Base New London Groton in September 1951. Over the ensuing 18 years, she operated from Groton, performing a variety of peacetime missions, most of them involving training. She served as a training ship for students at the Submarine School, and prospective submarine commanding officers made their familiarization cruises aboard her. She also provided test services to the Test and Evaluation Force and trained United States Naval Reserve personnel.

Becuna made two deployments to serve with the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, where she made numerous port visits. She also participated in many exercises with U.S. and foreign naval units. She made one cruise to Scotland, occasionally visited northern European ports, and was a frequent caller at ports in Canada, along the United States East Coast, and in the West Indies. In 1969, she was reclassified as an auxiliary submarine and given the hull classification symbol AGSS-319.

Decommissioning and disposal

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Becuna was decommissioned on 7 November 1969 and laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her hull classification symbol reverted to SS-319 in 1971.

Becuna remained in reserve at Philadelphia until 15 August 1973, when her name was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. In 1974, a prospective transfer of Becuna to Venezuela fell through. On 21 June 1976, she was donated to the Cruiser Olympia Association for use as a memorial.

Honors and awards

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Museum ship

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Becuna in Philadelphia. Note the difference in her appearance after her extensive modernization in 1951.

Becuna was placed on permanent display adjacent to the cruiser USS Olympia (C-6) at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1976. Becuna was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.[10] Since 1996, both vessels have been operated by the Independence Seaport Museum. Becuna received the Historical Welded Structure Award of the American Welding Society in 2001.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

USS Becuna

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
USS Becuna (SS/AGSS-319) was a of the [United States Navy](/page/United States_Navy), commissioned during and serving actively until 1969, after which she was preserved as a in , . Named for the becuna, a type of pike-like of , she displaced 1,525 tons surfaced and 2,415 tons submerged, with a length of 311 feet 9 inches, and was armed with ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, a 5-inch , and other weaponry typical of her class. During her wartime service in the Pacific, Becuna conducted five war patrols, sinking several Japanese vessels including the Tokuwa Maru (1,943 tons, in collaboration with USS Hawkbill), two small sea trucks, and the tanker Nichiryu Maru, while enduring intense attacks and earning four battle stars for her contributions to the undersea campaign against . Laid down on 29 April 1943 by the Company in , Becuna was launched on 30 January 1944 and commissioned on 29 May 1944 under the command of Henry D. Sturr. Her took her to the and , before she transited the to reach on 29 July 1944, from where she embarked on her first war patrol on 23 August, operating in the waters off Formosa and . Subsequent patrols included operations near the , Indochina, and the , where she evaded heavy enemy escorts, including during a notable encounter with Japanese cruisers Ashigara and Oyodo on 23 , though no sinkings resulted from that action. By the war's end in August 1945, Becuna had returned to , having played a role in the force that crippled Japanese shipping. Following the war, Becuna remained active with the Pacific Fleet for training duties until April 1949, when she transferred to the Atlantic Fleet's Submarine Squadron 8 at Groton, Connecticut. In November 1950, she underwent a Greater Underwater Propulsion Power (GUPPY IA) conversion, which equipped her with a snorkel, improved batteries, and a streamlined sail for enhanced submerged performance, making her one of the few surviving examples of this early modernization program. Her postwar career involved extensive training of submariners at the Submarine School, deployments to the Mediterranean for joint exercises with NATO allies, Arctic ice research operations, and participation in the Navy's Test and Evaluation Force. Decommissioned on 7 November 1969 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 15 August 1973, Becuna was donated on 21 June 1976 to the Cruiser Olympia Association (now part of the Independence Seaport Museum) and opened to the public as a memorial exhibit at Penn's Landing, where she remains moored alongside the cruiser USS Olympia, offering guided tours that highlight submarine life and technology.

Design and characteristics

Specifications

The USS Becuna (SS-319) was a , a fleet-type design optimized for extended patrols in the Pacific theater, emphasizing endurance and stealth for anti-shipping operations against Japanese naval forces. These submarines incorporated enhancements over the earlier Gato class, including a greater maximum diving depth of 400 feet (120 meters) compared to 300 feet (90 meters) and expanded battery capacity to support prolonged submerged operations. As built, Becuna displaced 1,525 long tons (1,550 t) when surfaced and 2,415 long tons (2,453 t) when submerged, reflecting the class's robust construction for both surface transit and underwater evasion. Her overall length measured 311 feet 9 inches (95.0 ), with a beam of 27 feet 3 inches (8.31 ) and a mean draft of 15 feet 3 inches (4.6 ), providing stability and maneuverability in diverse sea conditions. Propulsion was provided by four Model 16-248 V16 diesel engines, each delivering a total of 5,400 shaft horsepower (shp) for surfaced operations, paired with four high-speed electric motors generating 2,740 shp for submerged propulsion; power was transmitted via twin propellers for efficient cruising. This diesel-electric system enabled a maximum speed of 20.25 knots (37.50 km/h; 23.29 mph) on the surface and 8.75 knots (16.21 km/h; 10.07 mph) underwater, balancing speed with . The submarine's range supported its strategic role, offering 11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) while surfaced, and up to 48 hours of submerged endurance at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph), facilitated by the improved battery banks. Becuna carried a complement of 81 officers and enlisted personnel, organized to handle the demands of extended missions with minimal support.
SpecificationDetails
Displacement1,525 long tons (1,550 t) surfaced; 2,415 long tons (2,453 t) submerged
DimensionsLength: 311 ft 9 in (95.0 m) overall; Beam: 27 ft 3 in (8.31 m); Draft: 15 ft 3 in (4.6 m) mean
Propulsion4 × Model 16-248 V16 diesel engines (5,400 shp surfaced); 4 × high-speed electric motors (2,740 shp submerged); twin propellers
Speed20.25 knots (37.50 km/h; 23.29 mph) surfaced; 8.75 knots (16.21 km/h; 10.07 mph) submerged
Range11,000 nmi (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) surfaced at 10 knots; 48 hours submerged at 2 knots
Complement81 officers and enlisted men

Armament and modifications

Upon commissioning in 1944, USS Becuna was armed with ten 21-inch (533 mm) tubes—six forward and four aft—capable of launching up to 24 , primarily the steam-powered model supplemented later by the Mark 18 electric . The also carried a single 5-inch (127 mm)/ for surface engagements, along with anti-aircraft defenses consisting of one 40 mm gun, one 20 mm gun, and two .50-caliber machine guns. The , Becuna's primary weapon during , featured a 4,500-pound and a range of up to 4,500 yards at 46 knots, but early variants suffered from circular runs caused by gyroscopic instability, which posed a to the firing by potentially looping back toward it. These issues, along with depth-keeping errors and exploder failures, were largely resolved by mid-1943 through gyro adjustments to right-running only and exploder modifications, ensuring reliability by the time Becuna entered service in 1944. The Mark 18, introduced in late 1943, offered a quieter electric for stealthier approaches but carried fewer reloads due to its , with firing procedures involving careful gyro-setting and depth to avoid the predecessor model's flaws. Following World War II, Becuna underwent significant modifications during her Greater Underwater Propulsion Power (GUPPY) IA conversion from November 1950 to August 1951 at the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, which included the removal of her deck gun, the addition of a snorkel for extended diesel operation while submerged, a streamlined sail and fairwater for improved hydrodynamics, and increased battery capacity for enhanced submerged performance. This upgrade also incorporated sonar enhancements, such as the installation of modern passive arrays in the former deck gun magazine space, along with surface search radar like the BPS-1 for better detection capabilities.

Construction and commissioning

Building process

The USS Becuna (SS-319) was authorized under the U.S. Navy's 1942 emergency submarine building program, which aimed to rapidly expand the fleet through the construction of Balao-class submarines derived from the earlier Gato class to meet wartime demands. Her contract was awarded to the Electric Boat Company on 10 April 1942 as part of this initiative. Construction began with the on 29 April 1943 at the Company's shipyard in , where the submarine's hull sections were assembled using wartime prefabrication techniques to accelerate production. The name Becuna was selected in accordance with tradition for submarines, honoring a variety of large , a known for its speed and agility. The submarine was launched on 30 January 1944, sliding down the ways into the Thames River amid a ceremony sponsored by Mrs. George C. Crawford, wife of George C. Crawford, and War Plans Officer to the Fleet. Following the launch, Becuna entered the fitting-out phase at the Groton yard, where her four main engines, auxiliary diesel generators, electronic systems including and , and other critical equipment were installed to prepare her for operational testing. Builder's trials commenced shortly thereafter in , allowing the Company and personnel to conduct initial sea trials that verified the submarine's propulsion, diving capabilities, and systems integration under controlled conditions adjacent to the shipyard. These pre-commissioning evaluations ensured the vessel met design specifications before transfer to control.

Shakedown and training

USS Becuna was commissioned on 29 May 1944 at the Company in , with Henry D. Sturr in command as her first . The ceremony marked the entry into service of this , built to enhance the U.S. Navy's undersea capabilities during . Following commissioning, Becuna conducted her in the waters of and off , extending through June and into early July 1944. This phase involved rigorous testing of the submarine's diving capabilities, surface and submerged speeds, and weapons systems to ensure operational readiness. Deep diving trials on 16 June highlighted the Balao-class design's improved hull strength, allowing safe operations at greater depths than predecessors. Training exercises further prepared the crew, including torpedo firing practice at the Naval Torpedo Station in , from 9 to 13 June 1944. The submarine also participated in drills with surface units during the shakedown period, simulating evasion and attack scenarios. Crew familiarization emphasized Balao-class handling, with intensive drills on emergency dives, compartment flooding, and damage control to build proficiency in confined underwater operations. On 1 July 1944, Becuna departed New London for the Pacific, transiting via the and arriving at on 29 July 1944 for final preparations. This voyage covered approximately 7,000 miles, allowing the crew to apply shakedown lessons in open-ocean conditions before joining the war effort.

World War II service

Training period

Upon arriving at on 29 July 1944 after transit from , USS Becuna commenced additional training exercises in the to prepare for combat operations. These included defense simulations from 7 to 9 and drills with destroyer escorts USS Burden R. Hastings, USS Lovering, and USS Rall on 18 and 19 . The crew focused on refining tactical procedures, such as coordinated attacks and evasion maneuvers, to ensure readiness for wolfpack operations in the Pacific theater.

First war patrol

USS Becuna (SS-319), under the command of Lieutenant Commander Henry D. Sturr, departed on 23 August 1944 for her first war patrol, assigned to patrol areas off Formosa and in the northern . During the early weeks, the submarine encountered frequent Japanese aerial patrols, with lookouts spotting only aircraft and no initial targets, severely limiting opportunities to surface and recharge batteries. squalls and the evasive maneuvers of heavily escorted Japanese convoys further complicated operations in the patrol zone. On 25 September 1944, Becuna surfaced to attack MATA-27B off Palawan Passage, firing six torpedoes at three and a , but achieved no confirmed hits while evading subsequent depth-charge attacks. A similar engagement occurred on 8 against HI-76, where she fired four torpedoes at the tanker Kimikawa Maru, claiming hits amid explosions but unable to confirm due to depth-charge evasion by escorts. The patrol's sole confirmed success came on 9 October 1944 southwest of Takao, Formosa, when Becuna coordinated with USS Hawkbill (SS-366) to sink the Japanese freighter Tokuwa Maru (1,943 gross tons) using torpedoes during an attack on MI-19; she also damaged the tanker San Luis Maru in the same action. No other sinkings were verified postwar. After 58 days at sea, Becuna concluded her patrol on 20 October 1944 at , , for refit and crew relief.

Second war patrol

USS Becuna departed , , on 16 , to commence her second war patrol in the waters off the southern coast of Indochina. The submarine transited north through the and patrolled areas including the region near and the approaches, focusing on potential Japanese shipping routes in Indonesian and Indochinese waters. During the patrol, Becuna coordinated with a wolfpack comprising USS Flasher (SS-249), USS Hawkbill (SS-366), and USS Jack (SS-259), rendezvousing on 3 December 1944 to share intelligence and coordinate searches for enemy targets. On 23 December 1944, she sighted what appeared to be a heavy cruiser and a light cruiser—later identified as the Japanese vessels Ashigara and Oyodo—but was unable to close for an attack due to insufficient time before the ships passed out of range. Operational challenges included navigating minefields in the patrol area, where Becuna destroyed several mines to clear her path, and the general scarcity of major convoys, which limited opportunities for significant engagements. On 2 January 1945, while returning southward toward the , Becuna engaged and sank two small Japanese cargo vessels known as sea trucks using her at position 06°09'S, 113°33'E, east of Madura Island in the . One was identified postwar as the Taian Maru (approximately 300 gross register tons), while the other remained unidentified but was similarly a small coastal vessel estimated at around 300 tons. These actions represented the patrol's primary successes against enemy shipping, highlighting the focus on opportunistic strikes against minor targets amid the hazards of minefields and evasive enemy routing. The patrol concluded after 53 days at sea, with Becuna arriving at on 8 January 1945 for refit and repairs; no significant damage was reported from the mission. By this patrol, improvements in torpedo reliability—stemming from earlier wartime adjustments—allowed for more dependable ordnance, though Becuna relied primarily on gunfire for the sinkings.

Third war patrol

USS Becuna departed , , on 11 for her third war patrol, transiting en route to her assigned area in the off the coast of . The patrol focused on interdicting Japanese shipping in the region, but initial weeks yielded few sightings beyond aircraft, reflecting the increasingly disrupted enemy maritime operations due to Allied air and submarine campaigns. On 22 February 1945, Becuna's lookouts spotted smoke from a near Cape Padaran; submerging, the fired a spread of six torpedoes at the lead tanker Nichiyoku Maru, scoring hits that sank the 1,945-gross register vessel at approximately 11°28'N, 109°06'E. Immediately following the attack, two Japanese escort vessels—auxiliary subchaser CH-57 and escort vessel CD-13—counterattacked with a barrage of 60 to 70 depth charges over three hours, forcing Becuna to maintain periscope depth and silent running to evade the hunt. The intense ordeal tested the crew's resolve, but experience gained from prior patrols enabled disciplined execution of evasion maneuvers, allowing Becuna to slip away undamaged. Later, on 27 February, the endured another two-hour attack from escorts of HI-96 at 11°40'N, 109°15'E, again escaping without injury through careful positioning and quiet operations. Subsequent efforts to locate additional targets proved largely unsuccessful, as Japanese shipping had been severely curtailed by ongoing Allied pressure, limiting opportunities amid the patrol's challenging conditions. After 47 days at sea, Becuna terminated her patrol on 22 March 1945, arriving at Subic Bay, Luzon, for refit and crew rest. This action contributed to the submarine's receipt of one battle star for World War II service.

Fourth war patrol

After refit at , Becuna departed in May 1945 for her fourth war patrol in the western Pacific, which proved unsuccessful with no enemy contacts. The patrol lasted from May to early June, after which she returned to in mid-June 1945 for refit. By this late stage of the war, the Japanese fleet had dispersed its surviving units into shallow coastal waters and isolated anchorages to evade Allied attacks, while merchant shipping was reduced to a fraction of its former volume through prior submarine and air campaigns, severely limiting opportunities for sinkings.

Fifth war patrol

Becuna departed , , on 21 June 1945, for her fifth and final war patrol of , operating primarily in the as part of efforts to interdict Japanese shipping in the waning days of the conflict. During the patrol, the submarine encountered limited enemy activity but faced threats from Japanese antisubmarine efforts. On two occasions, enemy floatplanes detected Becuna and subjected her to bombing attacks, highlighting the persistent dangers even as Allied forces advanced. No damage was sustained, and the crew's experience from prior patrols contributed to a cautious operational tempo that prioritized survival and reconnaissance over aggressive engagements. On the night of 15 July 1945, Becuna detected a fast-moving radar contact in the and tracked it for several hours before launching a spread of torpedoes during a surface attack. All shots missed the target, identified postwar as the Japanese torpedo boat Kari en route to Ambon, which was later sunk by the nearby USS Baya (SS-318). This near-miss underscored the challenges of targeting elusive vessels in the patrol area, but no further engagements occurred. The patrol concluded without sinkings when Becuna arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines, late in July 1945 for refit. Across her five war patrols, Becuna was credited with sinking 3,888 gross tons of Japanese shipping, contributing to the Allied submarine campaign's overall success in disrupting enemy logistics. Hostilities ended on 15 August 1945 while the submarine remained in overhaul, marking the close of her combat role.

Postwar service

Pacific Fleet operations

Following her return to the United States at on 22 September 1945, USS Becuna remained in active service with the Pacific Fleet, transitioning from wartime operations to peacetime duties. She conducted routine training missions off the coast, focusing on type training for crews. These activities emphasized operational readiness and tactical proficiency in a post-conflict environment, leveraging her Balao-class design for submerged endurance and maneuverability during local drills. Becuna participated in antisubmarine warfare exercises alongside carriers and destroyers, simulating fleet defense scenarios to hone coordinated tactics within the Pacific Fleet's submarine force. From 1946 to 1949, her operations included West Coast patrols that occasionally extended to for joint maneuvers, though she undertook no foreign deployments beyond U.S. territories. In May 1947, she underwent a scheduled overhaul at , lasting until September, to maintain her operational condition for ongoing training roles. Throughout this period, Becuna served primarily as a platform, supporting the development of skills amid the Navy's postwar reorganization. Her activities contributed to the Pacific Fleet's emphasis on antisubmarine capabilities, reflecting the shift toward deterrence in the emerging context, until her reassignment to the Atlantic Fleet in April 1949.

Atlantic transfer and GUPPY conversion

In April 1949, USS Becuna transferred from the Pacific Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet, sailing from San Diego to New London, Connecticut, and joining Submarine Squadron 8 as a training platform for Submarine School students. In November 1950, the submarine entered the Electric Boat Company yard in Groton, Connecticut, for a nine-month GUPPY IA modernization, which was completed in August 1951. This overhaul included installation of a snorkel for submerged diesel operation, a streamlined sail to reduce hydrodynamic drag, additional batteries for extended underwater endurance, and increased fuel capacity to support greater submerged range. Deck guns were removed to further streamline the hull. Post-conversion, Becuna conducted shakedown and refresher training in the during late 1951, returning to New London in September. The upgrades boosted her submerged speed to approximately 18 knots through enhanced battery power and propulsion efficiency. These modifications significantly improved Becuna's capabilities for exercises in the early era, positioning her as one of the initial IA-converted Balao-class submarines in the Atlantic Fleet.

Training and reserve duties

Following her GUPPY IA conversion completed in 1951, USS Becuna conducted refresher training in the from late to early , simulating submerged operations and attacks on mock targets in the region off areas including and . She then reported to her home port at the Naval Submarine Base in (part of the greater New London submarine complex), where she was based from 1951 to 1969. The modifications from the program, which enhanced her underwater propulsion, battery capacity, and snorkeling ability, proved particularly beneficial in training scenarios by allowing sustained submerged performance during (ASW) drills. Throughout this period, Becuna served primarily as a training platform for the U.S. 's School, instructing students in operations, tactics, and maintenance while also qualifying prospective commanding officers through practical at-sea evolutions. She regularly supported Naval Reserve units with summer cruises focused on reserve personnel familiarization, including simulated attacks and ASW exercises in the North Atlantic and waters. Additionally, Becuna provided test and evaluation services for the 's Test and Evaluation Force, contributing to the development and refinement of equipment and procedures. These activities often involved multiship operations with U.S. units and allied navies, including partners, to hone ASW in the North Atlantic. She also participated in Arctic ice operations above the . Becuna's training duties extended to notable deployments, including periodic tours with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean during the , such as her 1958 deployment where she conducted exercises and port visits across the region. In the , she participated in advanced exercises, supporting fleet-level simulations that emphasized independent tactical operations. She also made goodwill and training visits to ports in , , and the , fostering international naval cooperation. By the mid-1960s, as newer diesel-electric submarines like the Tang class entered service and assumed more demanding roles, Becuna's operations shifted toward routine maintenance and localized training out of Groton. She underwent periodic overhauls to sustain her readiness for reserve support. Becuna completed her final active cruise in 1968, after which preparations began for inactivation; she was decommissioned on 7 November 1969 at and placed in the .

Decommissioning and preservation

Decommissioning process

The inactivation process for USS Becuna commenced at the , initiating the transition from to reserve status after more than two decades of continuous service primarily in roles. This phase involved reducing operations, securing equipment, and preparing the vessel for long-term storage, reflecting the broader drawdown of II-era diesel-electric submarines within the U.S. fleet. On 7 November 1969, following 25 years of commissioned service, Becuna was formally decommissioned at the . The event concluded her operational career, which had evolved from wartime patrols to extensive postwar exercises and reserve training, amid the Navy's shift toward nuclear-powered platforms that rendered older diesel boats increasingly obsolete. Decommissioning also supported cost-saving measures through fleet reduction, as maintaining aging conventional submarines became less viable in the face of technological advancements and budgetary constraints. Immediately after decommissioning, Becuna was transferred to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at , where she received only minimal maintenance by a small caretaker crew to preserve her condition in inactive status. This reserve placement ensured the submarine remained available for potential reactivation, though it effectively marked the end of her active contributions.

Disposal and donation

Following her decommissioning in 1969, which concluded her training and reserve duties, USS Becuna was maintained in an inactive status at the Naval Shipyard's reserve fleet facility, where she underwent periodic preservation efforts to protect her hull and systems from environmental damage. This storage lasted until 15 August 1973, when her name was officially stricken from the after approximately four years in reserve. In 1974, a proposed transfer of Becuna to the was considered but ultimately did not proceed, paving the way for her disposal as a historical asset. On 21 June 1976, the Secretary of the approved her donation as a public memorial, and she was formally transferred at no cost to the Cruiser Olympia Association in . Upon handover to civilian custody, Becuna was towed from the shipyard to along the , where initial preservation measures—such as sealing compartments and applying protective coatings—were implemented to halt further deterioration and ensure her structural integrity. These efforts focused on stabilizing the vessel in her postwar configuration for long-term public display. Following the transfer, Becuna was opened to the public in 1976 as part of the U.S. bicentennial celebrations.

Museum ship status

Relocation to Philadelphia

In 1976, following its donation by the U.S. Navy, the USS Becuna was towed from its inactive berth in the reserve fleet to on the , where it was placed alongside the cruiser USS Olympia as a static exhibit. The move, completed on 21 1976, positioned the submarine for public display as part of the American Bicentennial celebrations. The Cruiser Olympia Association, founded in 1957 to preserve the USS Olympia, assumed responsibility for the Becuna's management upon its transfer. A volunteer crew, including members of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Submarine Veterans of led by "" Bill Mack, handled basic operations and provided guided tours for visitors. Initial preservation efforts focused on hull cleaning and securing the interior to protect against deterioration, ensuring the submarine retained its operational character, including the scent of hydraulic oil. By late 1976, the Becuna was open to the public for guided walks, attracting thousands of annual visitors. The relocation presented challenges, including the logistics of docking in an urban waterfront environment and ongoing exposure to weather elements on the , which necessitated annual maintenance funded primarily through donations and tourist fees.

Operations and recognition

In 1996, the USS Becuna was transferred to the management of the Independence Seaport Museum in , along with the cruiser USS Olympia, forming a key part of the museum's Historic Ship Zone dedicated to preserving maritime heritage along the . This integration allowed for coordinated operations, including shared admission packages that provide access to both vessels and the museum's exhibits. As a museum exhibit, Becuna offers guided tours several times daily, enabling visitors to explore its narrow compartments, torpedo rooms, and engine spaces to gain insight into and crew life during . These tours emphasize the technological and scientific aspects of underwater operations, supporting the 's broader educational outreach on naval history and maritime innovation. Special programs, such as themed events and school group visits, highlight tactics and daily challenges faced by sailors, fostering public understanding of historical naval service. Becuna's role extends to cultural and educational significance as one of the last surviving Balao-class submarines and the only remaining example of the GUPPY 1-A conversion, symbolizing the evolution of U.S. submarine technology from World War II through the Cold War era. It serves as a platform for STEM-focused initiatives, illustrating principles of engineering, physics, and acoustics in submarine design, while hosting events that honor veterans and promote discussions on military history. Its status as a National Historic Landmark, designated in 1986, further underscores its enduring value in American maritime preservation.

Honors and accolades

World War II battle stars

During World War II, USS Becuna earned four battle stars as part of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal for her meritorious service across multiple war patrols in the Pacific theater. These awards recognized the submarine's contributions to major operations through enemy engagements and sustained operations in designated areas, with stars typically granted for each qualifying patrol based on participation in combat zones or specific campaigns as defined by criteria. No battle star was awarded for her pre-patrol training exercises. The crew also received the (with "ASIA" clasp), , , and . The first battle star was for Becuna's initial war patrol from August to October 1944 in the Formosa-Luzon area near the , where she made torpedo attacks on convoys and shared credit for sinking the 1,943-ton freighter Tokuwa Maru. The second star honored her November 1944 to January 1945 patrol, which included operations near the and resulted in the deck-gun sinking of two small Japanese sea trucks, demonstrating effective surface engagements against coastal traffic. Her third patrol from February to March 1945 in the earned the third star for sinking the 1,945-ton tanker Nichiyoku Maru off despite heavy escort presence, followed by enduring approximately 70 depth charges without damage. The fourth battle star covered the combined efforts of her fourth and fifth patrols from to , designated as Empire patrols targeting Japanese-held territories in the and , though these yielded no confirmed sinkings or major contacts. Overall, the stars were based on criteria including verified enemy contacts and tonnage sunk from major vessels—totaling 3,888 tons—and resilience in hostile waters, with awards formalized postwar and represented on the ship's battle streamer. The small sea trucks were not included in the official total.

Postwar historic designations

In 1986, the Department of the Interior designated USS Becuna a , recognizing its service and the preservation of its intact Balao-class features, including those from its postwar conversion. This designation highlights the submarine's role as a rare surviving example of early Cold War-era modifications to fleet submarines. USS Becuna was added to the on August 29, 1978, further affirming its national significance in American naval history. As the only surviving IA-converted , it symbolizes the evolution of U.S. technology from diesel-electric designs to enhanced postwar capabilities for and training during the early . In 2001, Becuna received the American Welding Society's Historical Welded Structure Award and was designated an official project of Save America's Treasures. Maintenance of its status involves adherence to preservation standards set by the , including periodic assessments and eligibility for federal grants through the Historic Preservation Fund to support conservation efforts. These measures ensure the submarine's structural integrity and historical authenticity, with the Independence Seaport Museum conducting ongoing operations to facilitate public access while upholding these requirements.

References

  1. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/becuna-i.html
  2. https://www.phillyseaport.org/submarine-becuna/
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  4. https://ww2db.com/ship_spec.php?ship_id=677
  5. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-008/h-008-3.html
  6. https://navalunderseamuseum.org/mk-14/
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  12. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/j/japanese-naval-merchant-shipping-losses-wwii.html
  13. http://www.combinedfleet.com/CH-57_t.htm
  14. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/u/us-navy-at-war-final-official-report.html
  15. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/butowsky1/becuna.htm
  16. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/guppy-us-navy-submarine-program-history-almost-forgot-207575
  17. https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2020/october/diesel-nuclear-submarine-revolution-revisited
  18. https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/1989/january/penns-landing-olympia-and-becuna
  19. http://www.navsource.net/archives/08/08319.htm
  20. https://globalphiladelphia.org/uss-becuna
  21. https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/independence-seaport-museum/
  22. https://www.phillyseaport.org/admissons-hours-of-operation/
  23. https://www.wonderfulmuseums.com/museum/penns-landing-seaport-museum-3/
  24. https://ww2db.com/other.php?other_id=51
  25. https://www.nps.gov/maritime/ref/landmarks/vessels.htm
  26. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/20cb51c6-f05c-489b-a2c4-0536e9013e1e
  27. https://www.businessinsider.com/navy-submarine-tour-world-war-ii-becuna-2025-2
  28. https://museumships.us/subs/becuna
  29. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalhistoriclandmarks/grants-and-incentives.htm
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