USS Bushnell (AS-15)

• Namesake: USS Bushnell (AS-15) was named after David Bushnell, an American inventor and the creator of the first submarine ever used in combat, the "Turtle," during the American Revolutionary War. • Class and Type: She was one of the Fulton-class submarine tenders, designed to support and repair submarines while deployed at sea or in forward areas. • World War II Service: Commissioned on 10 April 1943, Bushnell played a vital support role in the Pacific Theater by maintaining and tending submarines operating against Japanese forces. • Guadalcanal Campaign: The ship provided crucial logistics and tender services to submarines at Espiritu Santo during and after the Guadalcanal campaign, helping to maintain the pressure on Japanese shipping. • Surviving Typhoon: In December 1944, Bushnell weathered a powerful typhoon while anchored at Apra Harbor, Guam, demonstrating the resilience of her crew and design. • Post-War Operations: After WWII, Bushnell continued to serve as a submarine tender, supporting peacetime operations in the Pacific and later the Atlantic, including the early Cold War years. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Bushnell was stationed at Key West, Florida, providing critical support to U.S. submarines monitoring Soviet activities. • Modernization: Over her long career, Bushnell underwent several modernizations to accommodate newer submarine classes, including the transition from diesel-electric to nuclear-powered subs. • Decommissioning: After nearly 30 years of service, USS Bushnell was decommissioned on 20 September 1970 and later sold for scrap in 1974. • Legacy: The USS Bushnell's long service life and adaptability made her a symbol of the vital, behind-the-scenes work done by support vessels in ensuring the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet.