National Submarine Memorial
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| National Submarine Memorial | |
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| Name | National Submarine Memorial |
National Submarine Memorial is a national monument honoring United States Navy submariners and the crews lost in World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and subsequent conflicts. The memorial commemorates the sacrifices of sailors from classes such as the Gato-class, Balao-class and Los Angeles-class and acknowledges contributions linked to operations like Operation Drumbeat, Operation Barney and Operation Ivy. It serves as a focal point for remembrance alongside other U.S. naval memorials such as the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and the United States Navy Memorial.
History
The memorial concept emerged after efforts by veterans' organizations including the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II, the Fleet Reserve Association and the American Legion to honor submariners lost during World War II patrols and later conflicts. Early advocacy involved collaboration with members of Congress such as representatives from Connecticut's 2nd congressional district and senators from Connecticut who worked with the National Park Service and local municipalities. Fundraising campaigns included support from corporations like Electric Boat, foundations such as the Pritzker Family Foundation and civic groups including the Rotary International club network. Groundbreaking ceremonies often featured dignitaries from the Department of the Navy, veterans like survivors of USS Tang, and historians from institutions such as the Naval Historical Center.
Construction phases reflected influence from designers trained at schools like the Rhode Island School of Design and consulting architects formerly employed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The memorial's dedication ceremonies were attended by prominent figures such as former Secretaries of the Navy and members of the Congressional Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, and coincided with anniversaries of battles including the Battle of Midway and observances like Memorial Day.
Design and Features
The memorial's sculptural centerpiece often depicts a stylized submarine periscope and a mast silhouette referencing types including the Gato-class and the Tench-class. Bronze reliefs illustrate patrol actions associated with campaigns such as the Aleutian Islands Campaign and the Solomon Islands campaign, while plaques list names of submarines like USS Wahoo, USS Tang and USS Thresher. Stonework uses granite quarried from sites linked to projects by the United States Geological Survey and engraved lettering follows typographic standards advocated by the Smithsonian Institution.
Landscaping motifs include maritime flora referencing locations like Newport, Rhode Island, Groton, Connecticut and the Puget Sound shipyards associated with builders such as General Dynamics Electric Boat. Lighting installations designed by veterans of the Naval Sea Systems Command reflect navigational themes found in models at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and incorporate plaques detailing technical specifications of historic submarines built at yards like Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
Location and Grounds
Sited near coastal infrastructure and shipbuilding centers, the memorial occupies property once adjacent to facilities such as the Naval Submarine Base New London and the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. The grounds are landscaped to include reference markers for theaters of operation including Atlantic Ocean patrol zones, the Pacific Ocean theater, and regions tied to Cold War submarine operations. Nearby institutions and points of interest include the Submarine Force Library and Museum, the Navy Submarine School, the Electric Boat Corporation facilities and port terminals for vessels like USS Nautilus when on display.
Access routes by interstate highways reference corridors such as Interstate 95 and state routes serving naval communities in Groton, Connecticut, New London, Connecticut, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Kingston, Washington. The memorial grounds are integrated into local historic districts that also feature markers for events like the Attack on Pearl Harbor and ship launches at the Bethlehem Steel yards.
Commemorations and Ceremonies
Annual ceremonies include observances on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Midway, often featuring participation from organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Wreath-laying events have been conducted by representatives from the Secretary of the Navy office, governors from states with naval shipyards, and international delegations from allies including United Kingdom, Australia and Japan navies. Educational programs coordinate with universities like University of Connecticut and Naval War College to host lectures on topics including anti-submarine warfare and submarine technology advances highlighted in journals such as Proceedings (USNI).
Special commemorations have marked losses of specific submarines, involving relatives of crews from vessels including USS Scorpion, USS Squalus, and USS Lionfish. Public remembrances are sometimes accompanied by flyovers from units of the United States Navy Reserve and musical tributes by bands affiliated with the United States Navy Band.
Notable Memorials and Plaques
Individual plaques honor boats and crews from significant patrols and incidents such as those lost in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Aleutian Islands Campaign, and Cold War accidents involving Thresher-class prototypes. Commemorative inscriptions reference submarines built at yards like Electric Boat and Mare Island Naval Shipyard and list sailors who served aboard famous boats including USS Nautilus, USS Tang, and USS Wahoo. Memorial dedications have included artifacts recovered by organizations like the Fisheries and Oceans Canada in international salvage cooperation and tributes organized in partnership with the Submarine Veterans of World War II.
Plaques also document technological milestones such as the first nuclear-powered voyage by USS Nautilus and the development of sonar systems through collaborations with institutions like Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Naval Research Laboratory.
Visitor Information
The memorial is open to the public with hours coordinated with nearby sites such as the Submarine Force Museum and access is often free though special tours may be scheduled through the Naval History and Heritage Command or local visitor bureaus in ports like Groton, Connecticut and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On-site signage references restoration efforts by volunteers from groups including the United States Submarine Veterans and maintenance partnerships with municipal authorities and agencies like the National Park Service. Nearby amenities include parking, interpretive centers, and linkage to ferry services operating in regions served by terminals such as New London ferry terminal.
Visitors often pair a trip to the memorial with tours of related exhibits at museums such as the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the Submarine Force Library and Museum, and the USS Midway Museum.
Category:Naval monuments and memorials of the United States