U.S.S. SABALO

USS SABALO (SS-302)

Sabalo (SS-302) was laid down on 5 June 1943 by Cramp Shipbuilding Co. Philadelphia Pa.; launched on 4 June 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Charles M. Oman; and commissioned on 19 June 1945 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Lt. Comdr. James G. Andrews in command.

After trials in the Delaware Sabalo proceeded to the Submarine Base New London Conn. for shakedown and training. She operated locally from New London until June 1946 when she began preparations for inactivation. She decommissioned on 7 August at Portsmouth N.H. and was placed in reserve remaining there until recommissioning in June 1951 at New London.

In August 1951 Sabalo departed New London for Pearl Harbor her new home port. Arriving in September she conducted local operations into February 1952. From 18 February to 28 September she underwent conversion to a "Fleet Snorkel" type at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Following this conversion she alternated local operations with simulated war patrols while deployed to the western Pacific. The first deployment 26 December 1952 to 26 June 1953 was followed by a second mid-November 1954 to 10 May 1955. Her third deployment 17 September-4 November 1955 was conducted off Alaska and among the eastern Aleutians.

In September 1966 Sabalo's home port was changed to San Diego and she resumed training operations off the west coast primarily providing services to ships undergoing ASW type and refresher training. Sabalo served in that capacity as a unit of the 1st Fleet until decommissioned on 1 July 1971. Struck from the Navy list the same day she was sunk off San Diego in February 1973.

[Note: The above USS SABALO (SS-302) history may or may not contain text provided by crew members of the USS SABALO (SS-302) or by other non-crew members and text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]