USS Pintado Serves as a Memorial to those in WWII’s Submarine Service

It is to the everlasting honor and glory of our submarine personnel that they never failed us in our great days of peril.
-Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

When visiting the National Museum of the Pacific War, it would be impossible to miss the submarine surfacing in front of the newly renovated building. Yes, Fredericksburg is land-locked but the fairwater of the USS Pintado (SS-387) has been architecturally placed to appear as if it is emerging from below. The Submarine Memorial truly is a sight to be seen.

On December 6, 2009 – one day before the Grand Opening of the new George H. W. Bush Gallery – the Submarine Memorial was dedicated in honor of the Submarine Service of WWII and in memory of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation’s late Executive Director, Rear Admiral Charles D. Grojean, USN.

The Dedication Plaque reads:

Dedicated to the Men of the United States Navy’s Submarine Service in World War II, and to the 3,505 officers and enlisted men lost and now on Eternal Patrol. In proportion to their numbers, they extracted the highest price from the enemy of any of our armed forces in the Pacific, and paid the highest price in return.

Established in honor and memory of Rear Admiral Charles D. Grojean, USN. His vision and leadership as Executive Director of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation made possible both this memorial and the National Museum of the Pacific War.

Fifty-two submarines along with 3,505 enlisted men and officers were lost during World War II and are now on Eternal Patrol.

The Presentation Plaque reads:

Pintado made six war patrols in enemy waters, during which she disposed of five naval vessels and ten merchantmen of the Empire of Japan, sunk or otherwise disabled, totaling 132,900 tons of enemy shipping. During her fifth patrol, she rescued all twelve crewmembers of the B-29 “City of Galveston.”

Pintado was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during her first three patrols, the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia with three stars, and five Battle Stars for her Asiatic‐Pacific Theater of War participation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War obtained the Pintado’s fairwater and periscope as loans from the United States Navy, with the assistance of the USS Pintado Association.