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USS Kraken (SS-370) 

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Kraken (SS-370) 

USS Kraken (SS-370) was launched 30 April 1944, by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, Wis.; sponsored by Mrs. John Z. Anderson, wife of Congressman Anderson of California; and commissioned 8 September 1944, Comdr. Thomas H. Henry in command.

USS Kraken (SS-370) steamed by way of Chicago to Lockport, III., 27 September 1944, and was towed in floating dry dock down the Mississippi River arriving at Algiers, La., 4 October. Ten days later USS Kraken (SS-370) cleared Algiers, transited the Panama Canal and underwent intensive training in the Gulf of Panama. She sailed for Hawaii 4 November and arrived Pearl Harbor the 21st. USS Kraken (SS-370) departed Pearl Harbor 12 December 1944, for her first war patrol, touched at Saipan the 23d, set course for Indochina next morning.

USS Kraken (SS-370) departed on her second war patrol 15 March and maintained lifeguard duty in the South China Sea supporting aircraft carrier strikes against Singapore and Saigon. She returned to Subic Bay, P.I., 26 April. Departing on her third war patrol on 19 May 1945, USS Kraken (SS-370) set course for the Gulf of Siam. After searching in vain for enemy targets, she shifted to the Java Sea where on 19 June she bombarded Merak and riddled a coaster and a small ship with 5-inch and 40mm. projectiles. USS Kraken (SS-370) sailed on her fourth and last patrol 29 July. While seeking the enemy in the Java Sea, her patrol was cut short when she received news of Japan's capitulation. Sailing for Subic Bay, USS Kraken (SS-370) arrived 21 August.

USS Kraken (SS-370) remained in reserve status until 18 September 1958, when she was assigned to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for activation overhaul and fitting out preparatory to transfer for loan to the Spanish Government 17 October 1958. She serves the Spanish Navy as Almirante Garcia (S-31).

For a complete history of USS Kraken (SS-370) please see its DANFS page.