USS Sunfish (SS-281)
USS Sunfish (SS-281), a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the ocean sunfish, Mola Mola, a plectognath marine fish, having a deep body truncated behind, and high dorsal and anal fins.
The first Sunfish (SS-281) was laid down on 25 September 1941 by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Calif.; launched on 2 May 1942; sponsored by Mrs. J. W. Fowler; and commissioned on 15 July 1942, Comdr. R. W. Peterson in command.
Sunfish held her shakedown in the San Diego Bay area and returned to San Francisco for post-shakedown availability. On 26 October, she stood out to sea en route to the Pacific war zone.
Read more about USS Sunfish (SS-281): First and Second War Patrols, November 1942 – April 1943, Third and Fourth War Patrols, May – September 1943, Fifth and Sixth War Patrols, October 1943 – March 1944, Seventh and Eighth War Patrols, June – September 1944, Ninth War Patrol, October – December 1944, Tenth and Eleventh War Patrols, January – April 1945