USS Guardfish SSN 612

• Namesake: USS Guardfish (SSN-612) was the second U.S. Navy submarine named after the guardfish, a small predatory fish found in the Atlantic Ocean. • Launch and Commissioning: Guardfish was launched on 15 May 1965 by New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, and commissioned on 20 December 1966. • Sturgeon-class Submarine: She belonged to the Sturgeon-class, a group of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines known for their quietness and effectiveness during the Cold War. • Vietnam War Operations: Guardfish played a pivotal role during the Vietnam War, performing intelligence-gathering missions and tracking Soviet and North Vietnamese naval activity. • Operation Ivy Bells: Guardfish is reputed to have been involved in Operation Ivy Bells, a clandestine mission to tap Soviet underwater communication cables in the Sea of Okhotsk. • Cuban Missile Crisis Legacy: Though Guardfish was commissioned after the Cuban Missile Crisis, the lessons from that era shaped her Cold War missions, especially in anti-submarine warfare. • Rescue and Humanitarian Missions: In 1972, Guardfish assisted in rescuing Vietnamese boat people, showcasing her versatility beyond combat roles. • Notable Commanders: Several of Guardfish’s commanding officers went on to achieve high ranks, including Admiral Richard W. Mies, later Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Strategic Command. • Deactivation and Recycling: Guardfish was decommissioned on 4 February 1992 and scrapped via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1995. • Honors and Awards: During her service, Guardfish earned multiple commendations, including the Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her outstanding performance.