Wreck of USS Albacore (SS-218), lost in WWII, found

USS Albacore (SS-218)

USS Albacore (SS-218), a Gato-class submarine commissioned in 1942, completed 10 war patrols in the Pacific War. She holds the distinction for sinking 13 ships (including two destroyers, a light cruiser, and a carrier) and sunk the most tonnage of any US submarine of the war. Just a month after completing her tenth war patrol, she topped off her tanks at Midway Island after a stop at Pearl Harbor and was never seen again. Post-war Japanese records documented the probable sinking of a submerged American vessel off Hokkaido a little over a week later. It’s believed Albacore hit a mine.

For her wartime service, Albacore received a Presidential Unit Citation (for 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 10th patrols) and eight campaign stars on the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

The wreck was rediscovered by a Japanese research team in May 2022 at a depth of just 820 feet. The Naval History and Heritage Command this week confirmed that the wreck is that of Albacore.

From Fox News;

The wreckage of a lost U.S. submarine from World War II has been found off the coast of Japan.

Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) confirmed Friday that a sunken craft off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan is the wreckage of the USS Albacore — a World War II-era U.S. submarine.

The wreckage was documented by Dr. Tamaki Ura with the University of Tokyo. Ura worked off contemporary records obtained through the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records mentioning the destruction of a U.S. submarine.

“As the final resting place for Sailors who gave their life in defense of our nation, we sincerely thank and congratulate Dr. Ura and his team for their efforts in locating the wreck of Albacore,” retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and NHHC Director Samuel Cox said.

The USS Albacore is credited with sinking at least 10 enemy vessels during its years active and received nine battle stars. It was lost at sea in 1944 after fueling up at Midway Island.

He continued, “It is through their hard work and continued collaboration that we could confirm Albacore’s identity after being lost at sea for over 70 years.”

“The wreck of Albacore is a U.S. sunken military craft protected by U.S. law and under the jurisdiction of NHHC,” the command said in its press release. “While non-intrusive activities, such as remote sensing documentation, on U.S. Navy sunken military craft is allowed, any intrusive or potentially intrusive activities must be coordinated with NHHC and if appropriate, authorized through a relevant permitting program.”

The NHHC added, “Most importantly, the wreck represents the final resting place of Sailors that gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave.”

Category: Historical, Navy, No Longer Missing, We Remember