U.S.S. BECUNA

USS BECUNA (SS-319)

Becuna (SS-319) was launched 30 January 1944 by Electric Boat Co. Groton Conn.; sponsored by Mrs. George C. Crawford wife of Commander Crawford and commissioned 27 May 1944 Lieutenant Commander H. D. Sturr in command.

Becuna departed New London 1 July 1944 and arrived at Pearl Harbor 29 July. Her war operations extended from 23 August 1944 to 27 July 1945. During this period she completed five war patrols in the Philippines South China Sea and Java Sea. Becuna is credited with having sunk two Japanese tankers totaling 3888 tons.

The submarine arrived at Subic Bay Luzon from her last war patrol 27 July 1945. In September 1945 she arrived at San Diego Calif. Becuna continued to operate with Submarine Force Pacific Fleet until April 1949 when she was ordered to Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet as a unit of Submarine Squadron 8.

Between May 1949 and May 1950 she conducted refresher training exercises and also assisted in training of student officers and men at New London Conn. In November 1950 she returned to Electric Boat Co. for a complete modernization overhaul being refitted as a Guppy-type submarine. Overhaul completed in August 1951 Becuna sailed to the Caribbean for shakedown. She returned to New London in September 1951.

Becuna has since operated with the Atlantic Fleet making two cruises with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean and one to Scotland. Other than these extended cruises the majority of Becuna's service has been conducted at New London as a training submarine.

Becuna received four battle stars for her World War II service.

[Note: The above USS BECUNA (SS-319) history may or may not contain text provided by crew members of the USS BECUNA (SS-319) or by other non-crew members and text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]