USS Runner (SS-476) - Post World War II Service

Post World War II Service

In June 1949, she was reassigned to Norfolk, Virginia, her base for the next seven years. In the autumn of 1957, Runner participated in North Atlantic NATO exercises, visiting ports in France and England. Homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from July 1958 to July 1959, she operated in the Caribbean Sea as a Regulus missile guidance submarine.

Returning to Norfolk, Virginia, in July 1959, Runner operated with the fleet along the Atlantic coast for the next three years. She deployed to the Mediterranean Sea from January to early May 1962, operating with United States and NATO units. The remainder of 1962 was taken up with local ASW exercises and overhaul.

Throughout 1963 and 1964, she engaged in various antisubmarine warfare exercises in the western Atlantic. The summer of 1964 was spent in the Great Lakes, training Naval Reservists. After operating with the fleet in the spring of 1965, she entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for overhaul. In 1966, operations included services for ASW exercises, type training, and participation in Exercise Springboard in the early spring. Runner deployed to the Mediterranean Sea with the Sixth Fleet from 8 July to 28 October 1966. School services for future submariners occupied most of 1967.

The year 1968 commenced with Runner providing services for Underwater Demolition Team school at Little Creek, Virginia, and ASW training off the East Coast. On 4 April 1968, Runner departed on her last Mediterranean Sea deployment. She returned to Norfolk, Virginia, on 31 July having visited ports in Spain and Portugal, and participating in NATO Exercise Dawn Patrol.

On 25 January 1969, Runner was decommissioned at the Boston Naval Shipyard, and towed to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, where she was redesignated AGSS-476 and served as a Naval Reserve Training vessel until stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 15 December 1971.

Runner received one battle star for World War II service.