USS Trout (SS-202)

USS Trout (SS-202) was a Tambor-class submarine of the United States Navy that served with distinction during World War II. Commissioned in late 1940, she conducted numerous war patrols in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning a reputation for aggressive and successful operations against Imperial Japanese Navy shipping. Her career was marked by several notable missions, including a critical cargo delivery to the besieged Corregidor and the transport of Philippine gold and silver to safety, before she was lost with all hands in early 1944.

Construction and commissioning

The submarine's keel was laid down on 28 August 1939 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. She was launched on 21 May 1940, sponsored by Mrs. Mildred A. Parks, the wife of Naval architect Frank T. Parks. USS Trout was commissioned into active service on 15 November 1940 under the command of Lieutenant Commander Frank W. Fenno. Following commissioning, she conducted shakedown cruise exercises off the New England coast before being assigned to the Pacific Fleet.

Service history

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Trout was immediately deployed from Pearl Harbor on her first war patrol, operating in the waters around the Japanese archipelago. On her second patrol, she executed a daring mission in February 1942, delivering 3,500 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition to the American garrison on Corregidor in the Philippines and evacuating 20 tons of gold and silver securities from the Philippine Treasury to Pearl Harbor. Subsequent patrols took her to strategic areas including the Caroline Islands, the Solomon Islands, and the South China Sea, where she engaged enemy merchant vessels and warships. Notable successes included sinking the Japanese aircraft ferry Kamogawa Maru and damaging several other vessels. She participated in the Battle of Midway, performing scouting duties, and later supported amphibious operations during the Guadalcanal campaign. Her eleventh war patrol, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Albert H. Clark, was conducted in the heavily defended waters north of the Philippines near Luzon. After a final transmission on 29 February 1944, Trout failed to return from this patrol and was presumed lost, likely to a combination of depth charge attacks from Japanese destroyers and naval mines.

Awards and legacy

For her exemplary service, USS Trout was awarded eleven battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Her crew members were also individually recognized, with commanding officer Frank W. Fenno receiving the Navy Cross for her early patrols. The submarine's legacy is remembered as part of the Silent Service's crucial role in executing the commerce raiding strategy against Japan, significantly disrupting its maritime transport. Her story is commemorated in naval histories and at memorials such as the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park and the National Museum of the United States Navy.

Category:Tambor-class submarines Category:World War II submarines of the United States Category:Ships built in Maine Category:1940 ships