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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

Diodon (SS-349)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Foxtrot - Hotel

Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 1 June 1944, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 10 September 1945; Commissioned USS Diodon (SS-349), 18 March 1946; Guppy conversion, 1947-48, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 15 January 1971; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 12 May 1972 to Nicolai Joffe, Beverly Hills, CA for $ 106,378.00 & Scrapped in San Pedro, CA.
Partial data submitted by Ron Reeves, HTC, USNR (ret.)

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,242 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts; Operating Depth, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers, 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm gun, one 20mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four main generator engines., General Motors diesel engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity 118,000, four General Electric motors, HP 2,740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.

Guppy IIA conversion: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,242 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts?; Operating Depth, 410 ft; Complement 6 Officers, 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with three main generator engines., General Motors diesel engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity 118,000, four General Electric motors, HP 2,740, four 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers. Text provided by James R. Santos.
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Diodon 19k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the keel laying of the Diodon (SS-349), 1 June 1944, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Diodon 214k Diodon (SS-349) slides down the building ways at her launching at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT., 10 September 1945. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 17k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the Diodon's (SS-349) launching, 10 September 1945. Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Diodon 23k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Diodon's (SS-349) commissioning, 18 March 1946. Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Diodon 72k Loading the first torpedo aboard the Diodon (SS-349), 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 91k Diodon (SS-349),underway, probably off the coast of Conn., Jan - May 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 83k Diodon (SS-349), preparing to dive, probably off the coast of Conn., Jan - May 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 144k Starboard aft view of the Diodon (SS-349), 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 128k Diodon (SS-349) surfacing, 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 32k Enlisted men and CPO's of the Diodon (SS-349), 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 65k Officers of the Diodon (SS-349), 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 124k The National Ensign is raised aboard the Diodon (SS-349), for the first time by P.P. Bocko, CSM and J.E. Vermillion, QM2c in 1946. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 176k Aft plan view of Diodon (SS-349) at Mare Island on 15 March 1948. She was under conversion at the yard from 1 Aug 1947 to 18 March 1948. US Navy photo # 388-3-48, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Diodon 168k Forward plan view of Diodon (SS-349) at Mare Island on 15 March 1948. US Navy photo # 389-3-48, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Diodon 174k Diodon (SS-349) after her GUPPY conversion, circa post 1948. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Diodon 48k Port side view of the Diodon (SS-349), after her GUPPY conversion, in San Diego, CA., 1950. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 169k In May 1948,CDR. Clarence Edwin Bell assumed command of Diodon (SS-349), which, under his command, won the Battle Efficiency Pennant for 1950. Official U.S. Navy Photograph courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Carbonero208k Aft plan view looking forward of Carbonero (AGSS-337) at Mare Island on 18 Feb. 1952. She is outboard of Diodon (SS-349) and Segundo (SS-398) is forward. Note Loon launcher on the after deck.
USN photo # 12023-2-52, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Carbonero213k Forward plan view looking aft of Carbonero (AGSS-337) at Mare Island on 18 Feb. 1952. She is outboard of Diodon (SS-349) and Guitarro (SS-363), Hardhead (SS-365) and Juneau (CLAA-119) are aft. Note Loon launcher on the after deck.
USN photo # 12024-2-52, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Diodon 62k Port side view at water level of the Diodon (SS-349), on 16 Nov. 1953. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 60k Diodon (SS-349) in dry dock at Hunter's Point,S.F., CA., 1955. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Sabalo 88k The Carp (SS-338) is pictured here in 1956 being painted (reason for hull number not being visible). The Sabalo (SS-302) to left in photo & Diodon (SS-349) is to the right. Courtesy of John Hummel. Photo added 09/09/09.
Diodon 86k Starboard side view of the Diodon (SS-349) underway, 1957. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 160k Stern view of the Diodon (SS-349) with the Ronquil (SS-396) outboard, 1960. Photo by Clem Boulter. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 12k Diodon (SS-349), portside view, 1960. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 56k Diodon (SS-349) underway, portside view, circa 1960's. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Diodon 38k Diodon (SS-349) underway, portside view, circa 1960's. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Diodon 40k Drydock time for the Diodon (SS-349), in Yoksuka Yards, Japan, 1963. Photo courtesy of Roy Richards. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 67k Port side view of the Diodon (SS-349) underway in San Diego during the early 60's. The tender to her port side is the Sperry (AS-12). The Cemetary on the hill behind the Diodon is on the grounds of Fort Rosecrans. Text submitted by Jim Haynes, QMC /SS/SW USN, Ret. Photo submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 68k Diodon (SS-349) at Hunter Point, San Francisco Naval Ship Yard, 30 August 1965.
US Navy photo.
Diodon 69k Diodon (SS-349) at Yokosuka, Japan, 1967. Note Oxford (AGTR-1) in the background moored forward of Diodon Photographed & submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 61k Diodon (SS-349) at Yokosuka, prior to patrol. Japan, 1967. Photographed by Herbert Edwards & submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Charr 341k Charr (SS-328) & Diodon (SS-349) at Ballast Point, 1967. Photo by J.D. Decrevel EM2(SS)
Diodon 50k Diodon (SS-349) in Mare Island CA. drydock, 1968. Photographed by Steve Wilber & submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
Diodon 88k Crew of the Diodon (SS-349) pose for a decommissioning photo, 15 Jan. 1971 at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, CA.
OFFICERS: Commander T. F. ARNOLD, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander R. F. CHIPCHAK, Executive/Navigation Officer Lieutenant R. A. SCOTT, Communications Officer Lieutenant R. C. WHITEHEAD, Engineering Officer Lieutenant R. A. COOKE, Operations Officer Lieutenant (junior grade) L. L. WALL, Weapons Officer Lieutenant (junior grade) N. F. SNYDER, Supply Officer
CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS: Senior Chief Engineman E. B. ENLUND, Chief of the Boat Senior Chief Electronics Technician T. E. RUNYAN Senior Chief Electrician J. A. ANDREZIK Chief Electrician G. H. KOENIG Chief Torpedoman L. R. DOW, Jr. Chief Hospital Corpsman C. E. FLEMING
Crew: ANDERSON, E. A. CSSA ANDRADE, B. D. FN (SS) ANDREWS, R. B. RM2(SS) BAKER, R. W. TA BAXTER, H. L. FTG1(SS) BIASCAN, A. E. TN (SS) BOSWELL, D. L. TM3(SS) BROWN, D. E. EN3(SS) BURDEN, R. F. MM3(SS) ELAM, L. W. QM2(SS) GETTS, E. C. ENI(SS) GOODWIN, J. L. EM3(SS) GRIGER, J. M. MM2(SS) HAND, J. R. EN2(SS) HELWIG, G. L. IC2(SS) INOSANTO, P. I. SD1(SS) ISLE, W. L. EM2(SS) JOHNS, R. L. TM1(SS) JOHNSON, R. S. YN3(SS) JONES, K. G. EM1(SS) LEVANDER, W. G. TM2(SS) MALONE, C. W. ETN2(SS) McCARTHY, J. W. MM3(SS) NEWTON, D. K. EM3(SS) PALMER, D. E. MM2(SS) PHILLIPS, A. R. QM2(SS) PLAGMANN, R. A. TM3(SS) POAG, J. A. RM2 (SS) ROYALTEY, S. RM3 RUSICH, F. J., Jr. EN3(SS) SALTER, R. A. SKI (SS) SMITH, B. C. RMSN STANLEY, R. A. CS2(SS) STONEY, M. J. TM3(SS) TATE, J. J. EM2(SS) THOMPSON, L. E. ETR2(SS) VICKROY, R. A. IC2(SS) VOELKEL, T. E., Jr. FN(SS) WASMUTH, C. D. EN2(SS) WEBER, W. A. FN(SS) WERNER, T. R. STS3(SS) WHITEHEAD, P. E. TM3(SS) WOOD, T. J. QM3(SS) WORLEY, T. L. FN ZUCHERO, W. J. TM2(SS)
Photo courtesy of HMC(SS) Chuck Fleming. Submitted by James R. Santos, courtesy of diodon349.com.
MINSY430k Seven inactive submarines at Mare Island on 30 April 1971.
Left to right: Cusk (SS-348), Rock (SS-274), Bashaw (SS-241), Spinax (SSR-489), Pomodon (SS-486), Medregal (SS-480), and Diodon (SS-349).
Photo by Ted Stone and negative given to the shipyard in 1995.
USN photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.

View the Diodon (SS-349)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Jim's Diodon, Submarine(r), History and HAM Radio Web Site
Guppy Submarines
Victory at Sea: Full Fathom Five 2 of 3


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