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USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Cuttlefish (SS-171)

USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) launched 21 November 1933 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by Mrs. B. S. Bullard; and commissioned 8 June 1934, Lieutenant Commander C. W. Styer in command.

Departing New London 15 May 1935, USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) arrived at San Diego 22 June. She sailed on torpedo practice and fleet tactics along the west coast, as well as in the Hawaiian Islands, until 28 June 1937 when she sailed for the Panama Canal, Miami, New York, and New London.

USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) arrived at Pearl Harbor 16 June 1939 and was based there on patrol duty, as well as joining in battle problems and exercises in the Hawaiian area. That autumn she cruised to the Samoan Islands, and in 1940 to the west coast. On 5 October 1941 USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) cleared Pearl Harbor for an overhaul at Mare Island, enemy plane caught her on the surface and dropped two bombs as she went under, both of them misses.

As it became obvious that the Japanese Fleet was out in strength, USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) was ordered to patrol about 700 miles west of Midway, remaining on station during the Battle of Midway of 4 to 6 June 1942. She returned to Pearl Harbor 15 June, and there and at Midway prepared for her third war patrol, for which she sailed 29 July. Returning to Pearl Harbor 20 September 1942, USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) was ordered to New London, where she served the Submarine School as a training ship from December 1942 until October 1945. USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) was decommissioned at Philadelphia 24 October 1945 and sold 12 February 1947.

For a complete history of USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) please see its DANFS page.