The USS SUNFISH was a 1,525 ton submarine built during the emergency program of 1940-41. Her keel was laid at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Mare Island, Ca, on 25 Sept, 1941. When the Japanese treacherously attacked Pearl harbor on 7 Dec, 1941, the SUNFISH was about 50% completed. Her work was stepped up immediately. She was christened the "SUNFISH" following the US Naval tradition of naming undersea craft for fishes and other denizens of the deep. She was launched on 2 May, 1942, by Mrs J.W. Fowler, the wife of Captain Fowler, who was the Captain of the Naval Shipyard. Two months later, the SUNFISH, with all of her gear installed, was commissioned, with Cdmr R. W. Peterson in command. She went through her shakedown cruise on 25 Sept, 1942, exactly one year after her keel was laid. The 312 foot sub fought her way through the rough Pacific Ocean until calmer waters were met. There, the crew and their vessel underwent intensive testing and training. Then, on 26 Oct, 1942, she slipped through the Golden Gate for Pearl Harbor, and the Pacific War. She left Pearl on her FIRST WAR PATROL on 23 Nov, 1942. She sailed to the VERY shores of the Japanese mainland, made no torpedo attacks, and laid two minefields.

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