Naval History and Heritage Command

USS Hammerhead (SS-364) was launched 24 October 1943 by Manitowoo Shipbuilding Co. of Manitowoc, Wis.; sponsored by Mrs. R. W. Berry; and commissioned 1 March 1944, Comdr. J. C. Martin in command.

After a month's training in Lake Michigan USS Hammerhead  (SS-364) was placed in a floating drydock and towed down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, La., where she arrived 8 April 1944. She subsequently proceeded to Balboa, Canal Zone, for further training, and thence to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The submarine departed Pearl Harbor on her first war patrol 6 June 1944 in company with USS Steelhead and USS Parche. Cruising the seas south of Formosa, her first engagement came 9 June when she sank a sampan with gunfire. Next day USS Hammerhead (SS-364) damaged several ships of a convoy. She returned to Fremantle, Australia 17 August 1944.

Beginning her fifth war patrol 10 March 1945, USS Hammerhead (SS-364) proceeded to the coast of Indochina, where on 29 March she detected a large escorted convoy. After sinking the escort, USS Hammerhead (SS-364) damaged other members of the group before retiring. She returned from this war patrol 6 April 1945, mooring at Subic Bay, Philippines. USS Hammerhead (SS-364) departed Fremantle 21 June on her seventh and last war patrol, also carried out in the Gulf of Siam, in company with three other submarines. 

USS Hammerhead (SS-364) arrived Mare Island, Calif., for decommissioning 20 August 1945 and decommissioned 9 February 1946. She was then placed in the Fleet Reserve at Mare Island. Subsequently, USS Hammerhead (SS-364) was brought out of reserve during the Korean conflict, recommissioned 6 February 1952, and engaged in training duty on the West Coast between San Diego and San Francisco, Calif., until 21 August 1953. when she decommissioned for return to the Reserve Fleet.

For a complete history of USS Hammerhead (SS-364) please see its DANFS page.