A Groton memorial honors World War II submarine veterans and the more than 3,600 submariners who lost their lives during the conflict.
The largest feature of the World War II National Submarine Memorial on Bridge Street is the conning tower of the USS Flasher (SS-249). The Flasher, built by Groton’s Electric Boat and commissioned in 1943, was credited with sinking the highest tonnage of Japanese ships (24 vessels and more than 100,000 tons) during World War II.
The memorial site also features a Wall of Honor with polished granite panels listing the 3,617 submariners who died in the World War II. A dedication panel at the center of the wall honors the submariners’ sacrifices and memory.
Another monument at the site honors the 52 submarines lost between January 1941 and August 1945. Bronze plaques list the name of the vessel and the date of its sinking.
The submarines are also honored with engraved granite panels lining one of the memorial’s walkways. The panels list a submarine, the number of crew members killed and the date each sub was lost.
The submarine memorial began with the display of the Flasher’s conning tower in 1964 at a site on Route 12. In 1974, the Flasher was moved to its present, well-maintained location. The Wall of Honor was dedicated in 1994.
World War II submarine veterans are honored with a similar memorial outside the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach, California.
Sources: U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc. brochure, submarinehistory.com
Growing up I had a lunch pail with a Submarine on it. In the 2nd grade I asked my mother why a Submarine and she said with a huge smile someday I will know.
As it turned out my Dad made the first 6 war patrols on the sawfish 276 in the forward torpedo room. In 1943 the sawfish was hunting with wahoo when she was lost in the sea of Japan near the gates of Tokyo.
So we did many fund raisers to help with the cost of this project. This monument is the symbol of one of the Greatest Voluntary Fighting Forces ever esembled. They bought our country the precious comodity of time from 1942 to 1944 to prepare for the Normandy Invasion at all Cost of Life. Most lost never returned home they are on Eternal Patrol. They want to be remember when they were young and full of spirit. So if you ever come here for a brief moment reflect there youlth and go on with your life enjoying your liberties as a free American. This is not a Monument to War, its a symbol of a one of the Greatest Volunteer Forces Ever Assembled. The Submariners of World War 2