USS Gato (SS-212)

USS Gato (SS-212) was a Gato-class submarine that served in the United States Navy during World War II. The submarine was built by the Electric Boat Company and commissioned on December 31, 1941, under the command of Lieutenant Commander William G. Myers. USS Gato (SS-212) played a significant role in the Pacific Theater of World War II, conducting several patrols and engaging in combat with Imperial Japanese Navy vessels. The submarine was named after the gato, a type of catfish found in the Amazon River and other South American waters, in accordance with the United States Navy's tradition of naming submarines after marine animals, such as the USS Salmon (SS-182), USS Sargo (SS-188), and USS Seadragon (SS-194).

● USS Gato (SS-212)

The USS Gato (SS-212) was one of the 77 Gato-class submarines built by the United States Navy during World War II. The submarine was 312 feet long and had a beam of 27 feet, with a displacement of 1,525 tons. The USS Gato (SS-212) was powered by four General Motors diesel engines and had a top speed of 20 knots. The submarine was equipped with ten 21-inch torpedo tubes and carried a crew of 60 officers and men, including Commander Robert J. Foley, who later commanded the USS Gurnard (SS-254). The USS Gato (SS-212) was also equipped with a SD radar system and a JK passive sonar system, which were used to detect and track enemy vessels, such as the Japanese battleship Yamato and the German U-boat U-47.

● Design and Construction

The USS Gato (SS-212) was designed by the United States Navy's Bureau of Ships and built by the Electric Boat Company at their shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. The submarine was laid down on October 5, 1940, and launched on August 21, 1941. The USS Gato (SS-212) was commissioned on December 31, 1941, under the command of Lieutenant Commander William G. Myers, who had previously served on the USS R-12 (SS-89) and the USS S-48 (SS-159). The submarine underwent a series of sea trials and training exercises before departing for the Pacific Theater to join the United States Pacific Fleet, which was commanded by Admiral Chester Nimitz and included ships such as the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and the USS Yorktown (CV-5).

● Service History

The USS Gato (SS-212) arrived in the Pacific Theater in February 1942 and began conducting patrols against Imperial Japanese Navy vessels. The submarine sank several enemy ships, including the Japanese tanker Toa Maru and the Japanese freighter Meigen Maru, and damaged several others, such as the Japanese cruiser Kuma and the Japanese destroyer Uranami. The USS Gato (SS-212) also conducted reconnaissance missions and provided support for Allied forces during the Battle of Midway and the Battle of Guadalcanal, which involved ships such as the USS Wasp (CV-7) and the USS North Carolina (BB-55). The submarine was awarded six battle stars for its service during World War II and was credited with sinking over 20,000 tons of enemy shipping, including ships such as the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku and the Japanese battleship Haruna.

● Commands and Operations

The USS Gato (SS-212) was commanded by several officers during its service, including Lieutenant Commander William G. Myers, Commander Robert J. Foley, and Commander Francis E. Brown. The submarine operated out of Pearl Harbor and Fremantle, Australia, and conducted patrols in the Coral Sea, the Solomon Islands, and the Philippine Sea, which were areas of operation for other United States Navy ships, such as the USS Iowa (BB-61) and the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17). The USS Gato (SS-212) was also involved in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Battle of the Philippine Sea, which were fought against the Imperial Japanese Navy and involved ships such as the Japanese battleship Musashi and the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku. The submarine's operations were supported by United States Navy ships such as the USS Lexington (CV-16) and the USS Princeton (CVL-23).

● Legacy and Preservation

The USS Gato (SS-212) was decommissioned on March 16, 1946, and struck from the United States Navy's list of ships on April 1, 1960. The submarine was sold for scrap and broken up in 1960. The USS Gato (SS-212) is remembered as one of the most successful Gato-class submarines of World War II, and its crew was awarded several decorations for their service, including the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star Medal. The submarine's legacy is commemorated by the USS Gato (SSN-615), a Sturgeon-class submarine that was commissioned in 1964 and served in the United States Navy until 1996, and by the Gato-class submarine memorial at the United States Naval Academy, which honors the service of all Gato-class submarines, including the USS Amberjack (SS-219), the USS Grunion (SS-216), and the USS Triton (SS-201). The USS Gato (SS-212) is also remembered as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the United States Navy's submarine crews during World War II, who served on ships such as the USS Tang (SS-563) and the USS Trigger (SS-237). Category:Gato-class submarines