GROWLER SS 215

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Gato Class Submarine Keel Laid February 10 1941 - Launched November 22 1941 USS GROWLER SS-215 Commissioned March 20 1942 Reported lost to enemy action November 8 1944

Naval Covers

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1. Covers Page 1     (DATE RANGE)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Date From to Date To	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type 3 (A-BBT) "PORTSMOUTH / N.H." USS TROUT SS-202

1941-02-10

No Image

Keel Laying of GROWLER. Cachet by William F. Spader

 

USPO Machine Groton, Conn.

1941-02-10

Keel Laying

 

USPO Machine Cancel Groton CT

1941-11-22

No Image

Launching of GROWLER. Cachet by Dr. S. E. Hutnick

 

Locy Type 3z "KEEP 'EM / COMING EBC" Groton CT

1941-11-22

No Image

Launching of GROWLER. Cachet by Kenneth E. Streeter

 

USPO Machine Groton, Conn.

1941-11-22

Brown Kenneth E. Streeter Launching Cachet

 

USPO Machine Groton, Conn.

1942-03-20

Kenneth E. Streeter Commissioning Cachet

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Locy Type FDC 3z (no date) "FIRST / DAY" "USS GROWLER" SL in dial

1942-03-20 to 1942-03-20

Commissioning. Add-on Cachet by Alton M. (Budd) Arrington

 

Locy Type FDC 3z (no date) "FIRST / DAY" "USS GROWLER" SL in dial

1942-03-20 to 1942-03-20

Commissioning. Cachet by Kenneth E. Streeter

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Locy Type 9 USS FULTON AS-11

1983-06-07 to 1983-06-07

No Image

"GROWLER's CO". Cachet by Alton (Budd) M. Arrington

 

Locy Type 2-1 USS FULTON AS-11

1983-11-08 to 1983-11-08

No Image

"On Eternal Patrol". Cachet by Alton (Budd) M. Arrington

 

Other Information

GROWLER received eight battle stars for her service in World War II

Credited with sinking...
The Japanese Destroyer ARARE, July 5 1942 off Kiska, Aleutians
The 2904-ton Japanese Auxiliary Gunboat SENYO MARU, August 25 1942 off Formosa
The 5866-ton Japanese Merchant Ship EIFUKU MARU, August 31 1942 Formosa Straits
The 10360-ton Japanese Ammunition Ship KASHINO, September 4 1942 Formosa Straits
The 2204-ton Japanese Merchant Ship TAIKA MARU, September 7 1942 off Formosa
The 5857-ton Japanese Passenger Cargo Ship CHIFUKU MARU, January 16 1943 off Waton Island
The Japanese Storeship HAYASAKI, February 7 1943 off Rabaul (*)
The 5196-ton Japanese Transport MIYADONO MARU, June 19 1943 off Mussau Island
A Un-named Japanese Auxiliary Vessel, April 10 1944 Central Pacific
The 1920-ton Japanese Transport KATORI MARU, June 29 1944 Luzon Strait
The Japanese Destroyer SHIKINAMI, September 12 1944 off Hong Kong
The 870-ton Japanese Frigate HIRADO, September 12 1944 off Hainan Island

(*)GROWLER rammed this ship and ensuing gunfire killed her Captain and two others. Captain Gilmore was awarded the Medal of Honor and USS HOWARD W. GILMORE AS-16 was named in his honor

NAMESAKE - Named for the Growler, a large-mouth black bass.

Four ships of the United States Navy have been named USS GROWLER -
USS Growler (1812) served during the War of 1812 and she was taken into the Royal Navy as Hamilton
USS Growler(1812-2) also served during the War of 1812. She was captured by the British, but recaptured by the United States
USS Growler (SS-215), a Gato-class submarine, served with distinction during World War II. As her captain, Commander Howard Gilmore earned the Medal of Honor.
USS Growler (SSG-577), a Grayback-class submarine, conducted nuclear deterrent patrols during the Cold War, armed with Regulus missiles.

 

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