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Gato-Class Wins WWII! 1941 – Suddenly the war in the Pacific was a reality. The need for ocean-going fleet boat capability was now a necessity. There were 73 Gato class submarines built in 1942 and 1943. Their main task was to carry out offensive action against enemy shipping. They are credited with winning the war in the Pacific, accounting for more than half the total Japanese tonnage sunk. The Gato-class, with its dual engine rooms, large fuel capacity, 10 torpedo tubes, deeper diving (400 feet) and surface speed of 21 knots, was the answer!
Following is a brief history of the WWII GATO Submarines we visited and/or researched in the making of our kit.
February 10, 1940; laid down at Electric Boat Co. Groton, CT.November 22, 1941; launched. March 20, 1942; Commissioned. 11 war Patrols, 8 battle stars, 10 ships sunk, 32,607 tonnage. November 8, 1944, lost in action against the enemy operating west of the Philippine Group w/ USS Hake and USS Hard head in the South China Sea west of Mindoro, Philippines.
November 4, 1940; laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.August 26, 1941; launched. December 15, 1941; commissioned 14 war patrols, 12 battle stars, 23 ships sunk ranking 3rd, 90,080 tonnage ranking 5th. 7 US Army bomber crew rescued. Preserved as a memorial at Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum. Muskegon, MI.
March 17, 1943; laid down at Electric Boat Co. Croton, CT November 28, 1943; launched. March 29, 1944; commissioned.6 war patrols, 4 battle stars, 6 ships sunk. 16,835 tonnage. 2 US flyers rescued. Become a National Landmark and Historic Place at Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
September 30, 1942; laid down at Electric Boat Co. Croton, CT. June 20, 1943; launched. September 25, 1943; commissioned 6 war patrols. Highly awarded. 3 Presidential Unit Citations. Asiatic- Pacific Area Service Ribbon. 6 battle stars, 21 ships sunk ranking 4th, 100,231 tonnage ranking 1st. Her conning tower was removed to become a memorial in Nautilus Park. Croton, CT.