About this Unit
USS Blenny (SS-324) was a Balao-class submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1944. During World War II, she conducted five war patrols in the Pacific, sinking several Japanese vessels and earning four battle stars for her service. After the war, Blenny participated in training exercises and served with the Atlantic Fleet, later undergoing conversion to a "Fleet Snorkel" submarine. She continued in active service until her decommissioning in 1969 and was eventually sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of Maryland in 1989.
Historical Facts
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Gato-class Submarine: USS Blenny (SS-324) was a Gato-class submarine, one of the most successful and widely used classes of submarines by the United States Navy during World War II.
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Commissioned in 1944: Blenny was launched on August 9, 1944, and commissioned on October 27, 1944, entering service just in time to participate in the final stages of World War II.
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Named After a Fish: The submarine was named after the blenny, a type of small, elongated fish found in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
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Five War Patrols: During World War II, USS Blenny completed five war patrols in the Pacific, operating in dangerous enemy-controlled waters.
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Notable Sinkings: Blenny is credited with sinking several enemy vessels, including the Japanese submarine chaser Ch-56 and multiple cargo ships, disrupting enemy logistics.
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Survived Depth Charge Attacks: Throughout her wartime service, Blenny survived numerous depth charge attacks from Japanese anti-submarine forces, demonstrating the crew's skill and the submarine's resilience.
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Post-war Service: After World War II, Blenny was decommissioned but later recommissioned in 1951, serving in the Atlantic Fleet and participating in Cold War operations and training exercises.
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Fleet Snorkel Conversion: In 1951, Blenny was converted to a Fleet Snorkel submarine, which allowed her to run her diesel engines while submerged, increasing her underwater endurance.
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Decorations and Awards: For her service in World War II, USS Blenny received four battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation for her successful war patrols.
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Final Fate: After being struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1969, Blenny was intentionally sunk off the coast of Maryland as an artificial reef in 1972, where she continues to serve as a habitat for marine life and a site for recreational divers.
