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USS Cutlass (SS-478) 

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Cutlass (SS-478) 

USS Cutlass (SS-478) was launched 5 November 1944 by Portsmouth Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. R. E. Kintner; and commissioned 17 March 1945, Commander H. L. Jukes in command.

Departing Portsmouth, N.H., 25 April 1945, USS Cutlass (SS-478) arrived at Pearl Harbor 15 July and put out on her maiden war patrol 2 days later. USS Cutlass (SS-478) cruised on the east coast until 8 January 1940 when she cleared for the Canal Zone. Except for 3 months of operations in Delaware Bay, USS Cutlass (SS-478) remained in the Caribbean, based at Cristobal, C.Z.

USS Cutlass (SS-478) left the Canal Zone 6 January 1948 for local operations at Key West, then entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in March for overhaul and modernization. Arriving at Key West 7 February 1949 she served as test submarine for Operation "Rainbow" evaluating color schemes to enhance livability, a serious problem in new submarines with long submergence capability. In 1953 USS Cutlass (SS-478) cruised to the Mediterranean, visiting France, Greece, Turkey, North Africa, Gibraltar, Malta, and Spain; then sailed in Cuban waters to act as target for destroyers and aircraft engaged in antisubmarine exercises.

In the first half of 1959, USS Cutlass (SS-478) joined in the antisubmarine warfare development work of TF "Alfa" off the Virginia Capes, and in September sailed for the Mediterranean. In November she passed through the Suez Canal to join ships of the Pakistani Navy in exercises off Karachi, returning to Norfolk in December. After continued operations with TF "Alfa," she entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in February 1960 for an overhaul which continued until August. Returning to Norfolk, USS Cutlass (SS-478) operated locally for the duration of the year.

For a complete history of USS Cutlass (SS-478) please see its DANFS page.