USS Guardfish SSN-612: History, Patrols, Crews
Commissioning
The USS Guardfish (SSN-612; submarine, nuclear-powered) was a member of the Permit class (originally the Thresher class) of nuclear attack submarines. It was the second U.S. Navy vessel, and second submarine, to carry the name of the fish.
The New York Shipbuilding Corp. of Camden, N.J., received the contract to build the Guardfish on June 9, 1960. Her keel was laid on Feb. 28, 1961 and the ship was launched on May 15, 1965. On Dec. 20, 1966 the Guardfish was commissioned with Commander Gulmer Hines Jr. in command.
Underway
After completing a shakedown cruise, the Guardfish joined the ranks of the Pacific Fleet’s Submarine Squadron Seven at Pearl Harbor. In 1968, the Guardfish completed her first deployment to the Western Pacific before heading to Pascagoula, Miss., for an overhaul that would last until late 1970.
In 1971, the Guardfish would take part in several operations and received the Navy Unit Commendation. After a second overhaul and another deployment to the Western Pacific, the Guardfish was transferred to Vallejo, Calif., in June 1975 for refueling. This process took nearly two years, from August 1975 to July 1977; when the submarine returned to sea, she was based in San Diego as part of Submarine Squadron Three.
The Guardfish would complete two six-month deployments to the Western Pacific in 1979 and 1980, winning the Meritorious Unit Commendation upon completion of the second. Another Navy Unit Commendation would be received in January 1987; the Guardfish also won the Submarine Squadron Three Battle Efficiency “E, the Anti-Submarine Warfare “A” and the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for the most improved ship in terms of battle efficiency that same year.
After two more Western Pacific deployments and the awarding of another Battle “E” in 1989, the Guardfish was prepared for decommissioning in late 1990.
Decommissioning
The Guardfish was deactivated in July 1991 and was decommissioned from the Naval Vessel Registry on Feb. 4, 1992. It would be stricken from the Naval Vessel Registry the same day. The former Guardfish entered the Navy’s Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Wash., and on July 9, 1992 was declared scrapped.
Characteristics of the USS Guardfish
Displacement: 3700 tons surfaced, 4300 tons submerged
Length: 278 feet
Beam: 31 feet 7 inches
Draft: 28 feet 5 inches
Propulsion: S5W reactor
Speed: 15+ knots surfaced, 25+ knots submerged
Range: Complement: 96 officers and men Armament: 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes; SUBROC
Career:
Awarded: June 9, 1960
Laid down: Feb. 28, 1961
Launched: May 15, 1965
Commissioned: Dec. 20, 1966
Fate: submarine recycling
Stricken: Feb. 4, 1992
Timeline:
June 1960: Contract to build USS Guardfish awarded
February 1961: Keel of USS Guardfish laid
May 1965: USS Guardfish launched
December 1966: USS Guardfish commissioned
1968: USS Guardfish makes first deployment to Western Pacific
1977: USS Guardfish transferred to San Diego
1987: USS Guardfish wins Navy Unit Commendation, Battle “E” and Arleigh Burke Trophy
February 1992: USS Guardfish decommissioned
Crewmembers of the USS Guardfish:
An unofficial list of crew members that served on the USS Guardfish can be found on the unofficial navy website at: http://navysite.de. This list is compiled by former crewmembers that voluntarily register. Some quoted comments from former crewmembers are listed below; many more are available on the source website at Navysite.de.
Neil Berg (served 1970-75): “Was on the Adak trip. Hit ice, periscope bent.”
Commander David Campbell (retired) (served March 1970-August 1972): “Promoted to Warrant Officer June 1972. Qualified EWS and Diving Officer.”
Randy Sandberg (served Oct. 1970-June 1973): “I do remember the Adak trip. And the “Head Quarters” that we shared. That’s for sure!”
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Guardfish_(SSN-612)
http://www.navysite.de/crew.php?action=ship&ship=SSN_612
http://www.navysite.de/ssn/ssn612.htm
http://guardfish.org/
