USS Scabbardfish (SS-397) - Fifth War Patrol

Fifth War Patrol

Scabbardfish began her fifth, and last, war patrol on 1 July with another assignment to the Life Guard League. During the period from 25 July to 10 August she rescued seven pilots. When she returned to Saipan on 15 August, the cease fire had gone into effect, and Scabbardfish sailed to Pearl Harbor. She sailed from there on 6 September under orders which sent her to Eniwetok for ASW training duties. She remained there for a month; sailed to Guam for a month; and, on 14 November, stood out of Apra Harbor en route to San Francisco, California, via Midway Island. On 29 November 1945, the submarine arrived at Mare Island for her first overhaul, which was not completed until mid-March 1946.

Scabbardfish operated along the West Coast until 17 March 1947 when she entered the San Francisco Naval Shipyard for her second major overhaul. The submarine departed directly from drydock, on 8 August, for San Diego, California. One month later, she called at Pearl Harbor for a few days and then continued sailing west on a simulated war patrol. After visiting the Palau Islands, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tsingtao, and Okinawa, she returned to San Diego on 11 December 1947.

On 3 January 1948, she was underway for Mare Island and, two days later, reported to the Pacific Reserve Fleet for inactivation. In February 1948, she was placed in reserve, out of commission, and berthed at Mare Island. Scabbardfish remained there until October 1964 when she was again placed in commission, preparatory to transferring her to the government of Greece.

Scabbardfish received five battle stars for World War II service.