USS Thornback (SS-418) original World War II submarine launching ‘tag.’ These were handed out to attendees of the sub’s launch at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery Maine in July 1944. Sized at approx 1 ¾ inches with an original 3 inch hanging string. For the submarine’s complete history please see www.ussthornback.com .

 

Tench Class Submarine: Laid down, 5 April 1944, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.; Launched, 7 July 1944; Commissioned USS Thornback (SS-418), 13 October 1944; Decommissioned, 6 April 1946, at New London, CT.; Decommissioned at New London, CT on 6 April 1946 and laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. Thornback received one battle star for her World War II service. She served out of Pearl in the final war months in 1945.

 

Reactivated for GUPPY IIA conversion at Portsmouth Navy Yard. Re-commissioned after upgrade on 2 October 1953. On 6 November 1954 conducted a first for submarines - snorkeling in the Mississippi River. Between the years of 1954 and 1971, she was based at either Key West, FL or Charleston, SC and conducted operations in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Mediterranean as a unit of the U. S. Sixth Fleet.Placed in a reduced manning status on 14 April 1971 in accordance with the Mutual Assistance Program. Thornback was Decommissioned on 1 July 1971 and transferred (lease) to the Republic of Turkey. Re-named and re-numbered TCG Ulucalireis (S-338), she transited the Panama Canal and underwent overhaul at Philadelphia Navy Yard until January 1972. Arriving in Turkey, she was Commissioned in a dual ceremony with TCG Orureis (S-337), (ex-Pomfret (SS-391)) on 3 May 1972. Pursuant to the Foreign Military Sales Act, the ex-Thornback was permanently transferred (sold) to Turkey and simultaneously struck from the U. S. Naval Vessel Registry (NVR). TCG Ulucalireis served in the Turkish Navy until she was Decommissioned on 7 August 2000. Still under ownership of the Turkish Navy, the ex-Thornback was moved to moorings at the Rahmi M. Koc Museum of Transport, Communications and Industry in Istanbul, Turkey were she is currently open to the public. Research by CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Ret) for NavSource. Source: NavSource.org/archieves