USS Scabbardfish (SS-397) - Second and Third War Patrols

Second and Third War Patrols

Scabbardfish departed Saipan on 12 November to patrol in the seas southeast of Honshū. She arrived at her designated patrol area on 16 November and sank a 2100-ton inter-island steamer that day. Six days later she sank the 875-ton Kisaragi Maru and damaged a 4000-ton freighter. On 29 November, she sank Japanese submarine I-365, picking up one lone survivor named Sasaki.

SS-397 completed her patrol at Guam on 20 December 1944; remained there until 16 January 1945; and then sailed to Saipan. Upon arrival there, she underwent intensive training in wolfpack tactics. Her third war patrol began on 23 January when she began patrolling the sea lanes between the Philippine Islands and Ryukyu islands. In late February, she engaged 12 luggers and a trawler with her deck gun but was forced to submerge by an enemy plane. She was bombed but suffered no damage. She returned to Saipan on 6 March and was ordered to return to Pearl Harbor for refitting.