USS Besugo (SS-321)

USS Besugo (SS/AGSS-321), a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the besugo, a fish of the porgie family.

Besugo (SS-321) was launched 27 February 1944 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by Mrs. P. J. Homer; and commissioned 19 June 1944, Commander T. L. Wogan in command.

Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, Besugo arrived at Pearl Harbor 25 July 1944. She made five war patrols between 26 September 1944 and 25 July 1945 operating in Bungo and Makassar Straits, Java Sea, and South China Sea. During these patrols Besugo sank the German submarine U-183, 23 April 1945 in -4.95°N, 112.86667°W.; one 10,020-ton tanker "Nichei Maru"; one LST (Landing Ship, Tank), one frigate, and a minesweeper totaling 2260 tons.

Besugo departed Fremantle 29 August and arrived at San Diego, Calif., 26 September 1945. After an overhaul she returned to the Central Pacific, operating out of Guam until transferred to Pearl Harbor 6 May 1946. She remained based at Pearl Harbor for the next eight years during which time she made two Far Eastern tours (10 June – 21 September 1947 and 31 October 1950 – 11 April 1951). In August 1954 Besugo shifted her base of operations to San Diego and the west coast.

Besugo was decommissioned, 21 March 1958 and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She was reclassified an Auxiliary Research Submarine, AGSS-321, in 1962, and recommissioned, 15 June 1965. She was converted to a Fleet Snorkel Submarine in 1966. She was decommissioned and loaned to Italy, 31 March 1966. Besugo was returned to US Navy custody and struck from the Naval Register, 15 November 1975. She was sold for scrapping, 16 April 1976.

Besugo received four battle stars for her World War II service and one for the Korean War.