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USS Queenfish SS 393

San Francisco about 1945

Harry's naval career was short, but one of the best experiences of his life. He was an auxiliary electrician aboard the USS Queenfish SS 393 for the period from the Fall of 1946 to January, 1948. Submarine school training was taken in New London, CT. While waiting for and during school, Harry barbered in the barber shop in barracks # 148 on the hill by the lake. Later he worked in the 20 chair shop in Pearl at the sub base. Remember, the haircuts were free? You had a choice, a good haircut or a "free one". The difference was a TIP! They were better than Ship's Service down the hill!

Captain Frank Shamer was the Captain when Harry went aboard. Captain John "Jack" Bennett was the Executive Officer. Lt. Alan "Al" May was the Engineering Officer.

The Queenfish SS 393 had an illustrious wartime career in the Pacific. According to the Smith Cove Naval News, on Navy Day 1947, the following was printed: "In five patrols she sank 122,000 tons and damage 4,000 tons of enemy shipping and received the Presidential Unit Citation at the close of hostilities. Launched November 30, 1943 and commissioned March 11, 1944, she made her 1st war patrol in the South China Sea, bagging six ships and late a 12,000 ton transport."

After the war she was the flagship of COMSUBPAC and had many firsts. The Queenfish SS 393 was in the Tony Curtis movie, OPERATION PETTICOAT. The Queenfish made an underwater tow of the Sea Fox in the crossroads. She later earned the Blue Nose when operating above the Arctic Circle on an "under the ice" operation. After major overhaul in 1947 she was propelled by GE slow speed electric motors that eliminated the noisy reduction gears. The forward 5" gun was removed for weight and balance. During the overhaul her electrical crew rebuilt the battery at the battery shop at Pearl. The original Ghould battery cores were removed and replaced with Exide Iron Clads. Each cell was removed from the old case, the new Exide plates were separated by hand, re-cased, and new electrolyte added. Her 19 year career ended when the Navy honored her career by sinking her with a torpedo in 1963. Captain Jack Bennett was an honored witness to the sinking.

USS Queenfish SS 393 Commanding Officers

C.E. Loughlin, LCdr, USN 3/44-5/45

F.N. Shamer, LCdr, USN 5/45-3/47

R.H. Lockwood, Cdr, USN 3/47-7/49

T.C. Williamson, LCdr, USN 7/49-7/50

J.E. Hoker, LCdr, USN 7/50-6/52

C.W. Rush, LCdr, USN 6/52-3/54

L.H. Butts, Cdr, USN 3/54-6/54

R.W.Lowman, LCdr, USN 6/54-7/56

J.L. Moore, LCdr, USN 7/56-8/58

J.C. Lewis, LCdr, USN 8/58-12/59

G.D. Howard, LCdr, USN 7/59-7/61