About this Unit
USS Tigrone (AGSS-419) was a Tench-class submarine of the United States Navy, commissioned in May 1945. Initially serving in the closing months of World War II, Tigrone conducted one war patrol, during which she rescued Allied aviators and performed lifeguard duties off the coast of Japan. After the war, she was used for training and later converted to an auxiliary research submarine (AGSS), supporting sonar and anti-submarine warfare development during the Cold War. Decommissioned in 1975, Tigrone was one of the last operational World War II–era submarines in the U.S. Navy.
Historical Facts
•
Construction and Commissioning: USS Tigrone (SS-419) was a Balao-class submarine built at Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine. She was launched on 20 October 1944 and commissioned on 26 January 1945.
•
World War II Patrols: Tigrone conducted two war patrols during the final months of World War II, operating in the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea.
•
Lifeguard Duty: During her first patrol, Tigrone served as a lifeguard submarine, rescuing downed American aviators, including several B-29 bomber crews, from the waters near Japan.
•
Record Rescue: On 14 August 1945, Tigrone rescued 31 American airmen in a single day, setting a record for the most aviators picked up by a submarine in one operation.
•
Post-War Service: After WWII, Tigrone continued to serve as a training and research vessel, participating in various sonar and underwater weapons development programs.
•
Conversion to Radar Picket: In 1948, she was converted to a radar picket submarine (SSR-419) to provide early warning of air attacks, a role critical during the early Cold War period.
•
Longest Service Balao: Tigrone was the last Balao-class submarine in active service with the U.S. Navy, serving for over 25 years before her decommissioning.
•
Support for Project Artemis: In the 1960s, Tigrone played a significant role in Project Artemis, a classified Navy research project focused on developing long-range submarine detection systems.
•
Special Operations: Tigrone was reclassified as an Auxiliary Research Submarine (AGSS-419) in 1963, conducting numerous secret and experimental missions, including work on underwater sound transmission.
•
Final Fate: Decommissioned in 1975, USS Tigrone was sunk as a target off the coast of Maryland in 1976, ending her distinguished naval service.
