03/29/2026
Launched: 25 February 1945 - USS Clamagore (SS-343)
USS Clamagore (SS-343) was a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy, built in 1945 and still in training when World War II ended. She was named for the clamagore or blue parrotfish, Scarus coeruleus, found in the West Indies and along the Atlantic coast as far north as Maryland.
Clamagore was built by Electric Boat Co. in Groton, Connecticut near the end of World War II. She was launched on 25 February 1945,sponsored by Miss M. J. Jacobs.
Clamagore was first assigned to Key West, Florida, and reported there on 5 September 1945. She operated off Key West with various fleet units and with the Fleet Sonar School, voyaging on occasion to Cuba and the Virgin Islands until 5 December 1947, when she entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for GUPPY II modernization and installation of snorkel.[12]
Clamagore returned to Key West 6 August 1948 and assumed local and Caribbean operations for the next eight years, except for a tour of duty in the Mediterranean from 3 February to 16 April 1953.
Awards
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Expeditionary Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Medal with "EUROPE" clasp
National Defense Service Medal with star
Clamagore was decommissioned 12 June 1975 and stricken on 27 June 1975 after having served in the Navy for 30 years. She was donated as a museum ship on 6 August 1979. Clamagore arrived at Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Charleston, South Carolina in May 1981, where she was docked as a museum ship along with aircraft carrier Yorktown and destroyer Laffey. Clamagore is available for visitor tours.
Photo: Commander says good-bye to his crew before turning over command of the submarine, 30 June 1950.
"Commander J. F. Bauer, says good-bye to crew of the submarine Clamagore (SS-343) before turning over command to Lt. Commander T. B. Denegre, who stands at his left. Conning tower is behind group of officers. The Clamagore, which has been at the Philadelphia Naval Base, leaves for duty with the Atlantic Fleet."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Clamagore_%28SS-343%29
Photos: http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08343.htm
Museum: https://www.patriotspoint.org/explore/uss-clamagore/
