USS Tigrone (AGSS 419)

• 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.