BULLHEAD SS 332

BULLHEAD SS 332 Balao Class

August 6, 1945. Sunk by aerial bombs. 84 men lost.

From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Bullhead
Any of several fresh water catfishes. The bullhead is easily recognized by its scaleless body, squared tail, and four pairs of fleshy barbels surrounding its mouth. Rarely exceeding 18 inches in length, the bullhead is highly regarded in some regions as a source of food and is also valued as a sport fish.

(SS 332: dp. 1,525 (surf.), 2,424 (subm.); l. 311'9"; b. 27'3"; dr. 15'3"; s. 20.25 k. (surf.), 8.75 k. (subm.); cpl. 81; a. 10 21" tt., 1 5", 1 40mm., 1 20mm., 2 .50 cal. mg.; cl. Balao)

Bullhead, the last American submarine lost during World War II, departed Fremantle on July 31, 1945 on her third and final patrol. She was to transit Lombok Strait and patrol in the Java Sea with several other American and British submarines. Bullhead rendezvoused with a Dutch submarine, Q 21, on August 2nd and transferred mail to her. Four days later, the submarine reported that she had safely passed through the strait and was in her patrol area. No further word was ever received from her, and, on August 24th, she was reported overdue and presumed lost.

Postwar analysis of Japanese records revealed that a Japanese Army plane from the 73rd Chutai, depth-charged a submarine off the Bali coast near the northern mouth of Lombok Strait on August 6, 1945. The pilot claimed two direct hits and reported a gush of oil and air bubbles at the spot where the target went down. It was presumed that the proximity of mountains shortened Bullhead's radar range, preventing her from detecting the plane's approach. Her name was struck from the Navy list on September 17, 1945.

Bullhead received two battle stars for her World War II service.