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Photo # 80-G-325533:  USS Balao returns to port after a war patrol, 1945

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Balao (SS-285, later AGSS-285), 1943-1963 --
Actions, Activities and Artifacts


This page features all the views we have related to USS Balao's actions and activities, and to artifacts from the ship.

For other images related to USS Balao, see:

  • USS Balao (SS-285, later AGSS-285), 1943-1963.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-325533

    USS Balao (SS-285)


    Returns to port after a successful war patrol, circa early 1945. The location is probably Guam.
    Note her 5"/25 deck gun at right, battle flag hung from her forward 20mm gun, blindfolded Japanese prisoners of war being escorted along her deck, and photographer at left.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-325534

    Japanese Prisoner of War


    Exits a submarine's deck hatch, with the assistance of two Marines and a Chief Petty Officer, as the submarine returns to port following a successful war patrol, circa early 1945. Location is probably Guam.
    The returning submarine is probably USS Balao (SS-285).
    Note the name "V.C. Mavis" on the back of the prisoner's chambray shirt.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 107KB; 590 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-325532

    Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, USN
    ,
    Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet (center)

    On board USS Balao (SS-285), welcoming the submarine back to port from a successful war patrol, circa early 1945. Location is probably Guam. Balao's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert K.R. Worthington, is to the right of VAdm. Lockwood, facing the camera.
    Note 5"/25 deck gun, with a Japanese flag and six "hash marks" painted on its barrel.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-325537

    Submarine Crewmen


    Wave their newly delivered mail, as their "boat" returns to port from a successful war patrol, circa early 1945. Location is probably Guam.
    The returning submarine is probably USS Balao (SS-285).
    Note USS LCT-1062 in the left distance, and .30 caliber and .50 caliber machine guns mounted at the submarine's deck edge.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 595 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-325536

    Navy Bandsmen


    On the deck of a Pacific Fleet submarine, ready to play welcoming music as another submarine pulls alongside at the end of a successful war patrol, circa early 1945. Location is probably Guam.
    The returning submarine is probably USS Balao (SS-285).
    Note the crates of fresh provisions on deck in the foreground.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 113KB; 740 x 630 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 94063-KN (Color)

    USS Balao (SS-285)

    Copy of the submarine's World War II battle flag.

    Donation of Bill Hart and Joe Klein, 1982.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 700 x 625 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 93820

    USS Balao (SS-285)


    Plaque featuring the submarine's insignia.

    Donation of Bill Hart and Joe Klein, 1982.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 85KB; 625 x 675 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98048

    Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.


    Children "man" the USS Balao (SS-285) conning tower fairwater, during the Navy Yard's open house, on Navy Day, 27 October 1968. The fairwater is on exhibit in front of the Naval Historical Display Center (later renamed the Navy Memorial Museum).
    The Submarine Squadron Twelve insignia painted directly over the submarine's hull number. Balao was a unit of that squadron during her final years of active service.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 108KB; 7510 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 83437-KN (Color)

    Navy Memorial Museum, Washington Navy Yard, D.C.

    Naval Reservists painting the USS Balao (SS-285) conning tower fairwater ("sail"), which was exibited in front of the museum, Spring 1975.
    The color used was pink, in honor of Balao's starring role as the "pink submarine" in the 1959 motion picture "Operation Petticoat". The pink paint lasted a few months, until the humor wore thin, after which standard Navy grey came back in vogue.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: KN-27604 (Color)

    Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.

    Main entrance to the Navy Memorial Museum, circa Summer 1978. This entranceway, located between the building's two southern wings, was demolished and rebuilt to another design in 1981-1982.
    Note the three submarine periscopes located in the Museum's southwestern wing, and the old anchor mounted in front of that wing. Large metal plaque above the "Navy Memorial Museum" sign identifies the building's previous use, as the Naval Gun Factory's Breech Mechanism Shop.
    At right is the conning tower fairwater ("sail") of USS Balao (SS-285), which was relocated to another part of the Navy Yard in 1982 and again in about the year 2001.
    This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center in January 1979.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-27604

     
    Photo #: NH 98041

    USS Balao (SS-285)


    Launching, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, 27 October 1942.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 129KB; 620 x 765 pixels

     

    For other images related to USS Balao, see:

  • USS Balao (SS-285, later AGSS-285), 1943-1963.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 7 September 2002