USS Puffer SS-268

Construction began on the USS Puffer early in 1942, and she was completed that fall. She was a Gato-class submarine. The Gato-class subs were hurried into production in the run up to the Second World War. There were 77 Gato-class submarines to serve during World War II. After she left her port of construction in Wisconsin, the Puffer traveled down the Mississippi River to complete training exercises off the coast of Panama before heading to Australia.

Early Missions

In her first wartime patrol, the Puffer was sent to patrol the Celebes Sea, looking for Japanese ships. She was able to damage several ships during this patrol, but was not credited with any sinkings. On her second patrol, the Puffer headed into the Sulu Sea and towards the Philippines. After one unsuccessful attack, the USS Puffing hit, and sank an enemy destroyer. Before the end of this patrol she would have another successful attack, sinking a Japanese freighter.

The Puffer's third war patrol sent her to the South China Sea. Here, she sank a transport before returning to port. Her next patrol would involve different responsibilities. She left Freemantle, where she was based at the time, and headed to the Sulu Sea. There, she was used as a lifeguard vessel, prepared to pick up stranded crewmen. She also sank three enemy ships, a freighter and two tankers during this mission.

Her next patrol was one that required great endurance. The Puffer spotted an enemy submarine tender, flanked by escort ships. She followed the convoy for three days before sinking the tender. Less than one month later, the Puffer spotted a huge envoy. At the time, she was running low on torpedoes, but managed to sink both a tanker and a freighter, and caused extensive damage to another freighter. She then sailed for Pearl Island to complete her patrol, and then onto the West Coast, where she put in at Mare Island Naval Yard for overhaul work.

With her overhaul complete, the Puffer moved to Hawaii for training and then onto the waters around Nansei Shoto. Nansei Shoto are islands that lay between the southern end of Japan and Taiwan. While patrolling the area, the Puffer sank two enemy vessels and damaged five more. Following this successful mission, the Puffer headed to Guam. On her next mission, the USS Puffer moved into the waters along the Luzon Straits and onto the South China Sea. On this mission, the Puffer bombed Pratas Island and then patrolled the waters off of Wake Island, looking for shipping vessels.

An End to the War

At the completion of this tour, the Puffer headed for Midway Island, where she underwent retrofitting. Her next patrol would take her to the Java and South China Sea. Early in her patrol, the Puffer encountered an enemy convoy that she used gunfire to destroy. She also caused widespread damage to two harbor installations in Bali. In her final wartime patrol, the Puffer was assigned to the Java Sea. She was on this patrol when the end of hostilities arrived. At the end of the war, the Puffer headed to San Francisco.

After her return to San Francisco, the Puffer was assigned to training duties and sailed to Hawaii. In Hawaii, she was used to train Navy officers in submarine warfare maneuvers. When her training mission was complete, she returned to San Francisco for decommissioning. After she was decommissioned, she was placed on the Pacific Reserve Fleet, and housed at Mare Island. Less than nine months later, the Puffer returned to active duty. She was placed with the 13th Naval District and used to train Navy reservists. She held this duty from the end of 1946 until the summer of 1960. She was then removed from commission, and sold for scrap.

The USS Puffer earned nine Battle Stars for her service during the Second World War.

The men that served aboard the Puffer and other navy vessels were on these ships and submarines for months at a time. During their time at sea, these men were placing themselves at risk, not only from the enemy, but from another hazard. The U.S. military used asbestos in many of the materials on submarines and ships. Asbestos was used because of its ability to insulate from heat, sparks and noise. In the closed, confined space of a submarine, the ability to keep heat away from the living quarters and deaden noise was valuable. It increased safety and improved the quality of life aboard ships. However, we now understand the dangers of asbestos exposure. Many of the men who spent time in the Navy are now at risk of developing mesothelioma or asbestosis, both serious diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure. If you believe that you may be at risk from asbestos exposure and would like more information, please fill out the form on this page to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

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