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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patches on left & center courtesy of George M. Arnold, on right by Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy.

Sea Fox (SS-402)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Papa - Echo
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 2 November 1943, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire; Launched, 28 March 1944; Commissioned USS Sea Fox (SS-402), 13 June 1944; Decommissioned on 15 October 1952 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA for GUPPY IIA conversion. Re-Commissioned on 5 June 1953. After more than 25 years of alternating Western Pacific deployments with the U. S. Seventh Fleet and local operations and training, Sea Fox (SS-402) returned from her final deployment to her homeport of San Diego on 11 October 1970. In November, she embarked the prospective Turkish Navy crew for training and departed for Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard at San Francisco pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign Military Sales Act of 1968.

On 14 December 1970, (Sea Fox Decommissioned from the United States Navy; struck from the Naval Vessel Registry; transferred to the Republic of Turkey and concurrently Commissioned TCG Burakreis(S-335) (Note: Burak Reis was the 2nd submarine of the Turkish Navy to bear the name of the 15th century Commander of the Western Fleet of the Ottoman Empire Navy). On 1 July 1996, TCG Burak Reis, (ex-Sea Fox(SS-402) Decommissioned from Turkish Navy and reportedly acted as a "charging boat" for other GUPPY submarines at Golcuk Navy Yard, Turkey until cannibalized for parts and the hulk discarded for scrap in 2003.
Sea Fox (SS-402) was awarded four battle stars for WWII service and another four stars for service in Vietnam.
Researched by CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Ret) for NavSource.

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced 1,526 t., Submerged 2,391 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 10 kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2 kts; 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 single 40mm gun mount, one single 20mm gun mount, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear, Fairbanks Morse diesel engines, 5,400 HP, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gal., four Elliot Motor Co. electric main motors with 2,740 shp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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For Full Size		Size Image Description Source
Sea Fox 32k Alopias vulpinus, known as the long-tailed thresher shark, or "fox shark", & "sea fox", among others. Courtesy of Evgeny V. Romanov & fishbase.org.
Sea Dogs 624k Prayers for ships by Lt. Cdr. Chester L. Holts, USNR Chaplain, at double launching of Sea Dog (SS-401) and Sea Fox (SS-402) launched in Submarine Basin, at Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. 28 March 1944. National Archives Identifier: 12562995
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Sea Dogs482kDouble Dog Launching: Sea Dog (SS-401) & Sea Fox (SS-402).
From left to right: Mrs. O.C. Robbins, Matron of Honor, Mrs. Robert N. Robertson, Sponsor for Sea Fox (SS-402), widow of Lieutenant Robert N. Robertson, who survived the sinking of Squalus (SS-192) only to be lost during the war as executive officer of Argonaut (SS-166). Rear Admiral Thomas Witner, Mrs. Vernon L. Lowrance; Sponsor, & Mrs. James P. Lynch; Matron of honor for Sea Dog (SS-401) at double launching in submarine basin at Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire on 28 March 1944. 		Partial text courtesy of wikiwand.com
Photo courtesy of Lt. Francis Doerfler via Joe Pace.
Sea Fox 29k Commemorative postal cover marking the launching of the Sea Fox (SS-402), 28 March 1944 at Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Sea Fox 21k Commemorative medallion on the occasion of the launching of the Sea Fox (SS-402), 28 March 1944. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Sea Fox 52k One month before commissioning, the Sea Fox (SS-402) lies out in Portsmouth (N.H.) Navy Yard, 16 May 1944. USN photo.
Commemorative201kCommemorative photo honoring the memory of the crew of the Sea Fox (SS-402) K.I.A., One mile north of Camp Dealey, Guam, ambushed by Japanese stragglers on the island on 13 February 1945.Photo courtesy of Raymond Fritz. ET1(SS).
Spot524kSpot (SS-413), Sea Fox (SS-402) & Queenfish (SS-393) & friends at Saipan, March 45. USN photo by Paul D. Guttman, courtesy of Robert Guttman.
Sea Fox 144k Sea Fox (SS-402) & Bumper (SS-333) nested at Subic Bay, Philippines, in September '45. Photo courtesy of Dan Goodell.
Sea Fox 145k A closeup of the Sea Fox's (SS-402) sail showing her battle record (3 ships sunk, 11 aviators rescued) and the fox riding a torpedo. Photo courtesy of Dan Goodell.
Cabezon 260k Cabezon & Sea Fox (SS-402) perhaps at Pearl Harbor sometime right after the war. Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Sea Fox 99k AAF Crew join the Sea Fox (SS-402). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Dornin
0823757		 NR When you see King, you see Dornin behind him.
The aide to our Navy's Boss must he a special sort. He is, Meet Commamder Dornin.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 29 April 1945, Image 76 & 77 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
402400kView forward looking amidships showing alterations at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard on 17 May 1946.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
402296kView forward looking amidships showing alterations at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard on 17 May 1946.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
402666kStarboard side view of the Sea Fox (SS-402) underway on 17 May 1946 off Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, CA.US National Archives photo # 80-G-1041911, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
402909kA sea of scopes on the Sea Fox (SS-402) (somewhere)
Note the scaffolding on what might be a GUPPY in the background. 		US National Archives photo # 80-G-1036029, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Sea Fox 20k Sea Fox (SS-402), circa 1948, place unknown. USN photo courtesy of George M. Arnold.
Ganyard 55k Cmdr Bricker Mcdowell Ganyard was the commanding officer of the Sea Fox (SS-402) from July 1949 to July 1950. USN photo courtesy of Lucky Bag yearbook via Bill Gonyo.
Sea Fox 92k Sea Fox (SS-402), as a "Guppy IIA" submarine, underway at San Diego, CA., May 1953. USN photo courtesy of George M. Arnold.
Sea Fox 109k A view of the commissioning ceremonies for Sea Fox (SS-402) at Mare Island on 5 June 1953. She was under conversion at the yard from 1 October 1952 to 5 August 1953. USN photo # 17774-6-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sea Fox 146k LCDR George S. Bennett, Jr. reads his orders as he assumed command of the Sea Fox (SS-402), at Mare Island on 5 June 1953. USN photo from the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sea Dogs706k View of the re-commissioning of Sea Fox (SS-402) at Mare Island on 5 June 1953. Submarine forward of Sea Fox is Menhaden (SS-377) with YRB-14 and YRB-12 outboard of her.USN photo # 17775-6-53 TH, from the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sea Dogs773kView of the Navy officials at the re-commissioning ceremonies for Sea Fox (SS-402) at Mare Island on 5 June 1953.
Speaking is VADM Francis S. Low (Commander, Western Sea Frontier). Others pictured are, left to right, first row: RADM Leon S. Fiske (Mare Island Base Commander), RADM A. M. Morgan (Shipyard Commander), Capt. W. T. Singer (Shipyard Admin Officer). Rear row: CDR William Shifflette (aide to RADM Fiske), LTJG J. C. Cook (Aide to VADM Low), and LCDR Harold A. MacNeill (Shipyard Chaplain). 		USN photo # 17778-6-53 TH, from the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sea Fox 358k The Sea Fox (SS-402) is seen off Mare Island on 13 August 1953. USN photo # 18358-8-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sea Fox 60k Sea Fox (SS-402) moored, Sub Base Pearl Harbor, HI, 1955. USN photo courtesy of George M. Arnold.
402316k Sea Fox (SS-402) underway on 10 April 1961. She continued to rotate between training operations out of San Diego and duty with the 7th Fleet in the western Pacific. Text courtesy of DANFS.
USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
402359k Sea Fox (SS-402) underway on 10 April 1961.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
402474kOverhead stern view of Sea Fox (SS-402) underway on 10 April 1961.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
402
0840238		 737 CAPT Robert E. Vaughn (1929-03-10 to 2013-02-26) was CO of Sea Fox (SS-402) from 1963 to 1965. He appears here in the conning tower while on patrol, taken in 1964. Photo by Lt. John Kirchner, courtesy of Andrew F. Vaughn, MD, MPH, Captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy, Commanding Officer, Naval Medical Research Unit - San Antonio
Sea Fox 265k Sea Fox (SS-402) approaching Vancouver BC on 23 August 1963. Walter E. Frost Photographer.
Source: City of Vancouver Archives, Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8055 via Mike Green.
402594kSee Sea Fox (SS-402) at sea on 1 November 1963.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
402212kSea Fox (SS-402) battleflag. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
4021.09kSea Fox (SS-402) gets drydocked somewhere & sometime in this 14 photo PDF.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sperry 666k Sperry (AS-12) moored in the harbor at San Diego CA., in 1962 with submarines on her port side, from outboard to inboard,
Bugara (SS-331)
Caiman (SS-323)
Ronquil (SS-396)
Charr (SS-328)
Sea Fox (SS-402) and
Menhaden (SS-377).		 Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
402359kSea Fox (SS-402) is spelled with a large E during 1965.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sea Fox 70k Sea Fox (SS-402) underway, circa late 1960's. USN photo courtesy of George M. Arnold.
Bugara 46k Cover of Sperry (AS-12) Welcome Aboard pamphlet, circa 1968. Note she still carries MK 12/22 radar on her MK 37 gun director in this picture. Submarines alongside include, from inboard to outboard Atule (SS-403), Bugara (SS-331) and Sea Fox (SS-402). Photo courtesy of David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN Ret. DCA USS Sperry 1968-69.
TCG Burakreis (S-335)
Sea Fox 114k Former commanding officers of the Sea Fox (SS-402).Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 114k Decommissioning crew of the Sea Fox (SS-402).Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 226k Decommissioning officers of the Sea Fox (SS-402), 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 104k Program of Events for the Decommissioning Ceremony.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 71k The Official Party.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 110k RADM Matter, Commandant of the 12th Naval District addresses the change over, 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 142k Turkish Amb. Inspects the Honor Guard.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 153k After finishing the Decommissioning Ceremony, U.S. & Turkish Officers share a final salute.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 89k Preparing for turn over of Sea Fox (SS-402) to Turkey.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 142k Decommissioning attendees.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 100k CDR Sekiner and CDR Stammer exchange gifts.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 68k Commissioning ceremonial saluting of the National colors.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 68k Change over crew topside.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 125k The Sea Fox (SS-402) still inservice as a US vessel sometime shortly before her transfer to Turkey as the Burakreis (S-335) passes by the federal prison at Alcatraz.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy. Photo i.d. courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Sea Fox 71k Aboard Sea Fox (SS-402) preparing for turnover to Turkey completing her transfer at Hunters Point, 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 189k The final lowering of the flag of the ex-Sea Fox (SS-402) completing her transfer at Hunters Point, 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 60k Front cover of the Decommissioning transfer ceremony of the ex-Sea Fox (SS-402) in Turkish Naval service as Burakreis (S-335), 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 103k Certificate of delivery of the transfer ceremony of the ex-Sea Fox (SS-402) in Turkish Naval service as Burakreis (S-335), 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 94k Commissioning officers of the Burakreis (S-335), 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 107k Non-Commissioning officers of the Burakreis (S-335), 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 91k Commissioning crew December 1970 of the Burakreis (S-335), 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 157k The ex-Sea Fox (SS-402) is welcomed into the Turkish Naval service as Burakreis (S-335), 14 December 1970 as her crew salutes the boat's new colors. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 106k Front page of The Drydocker, newspaper of Hunters Point shipyard, showing the Burakreis (S-335) completing her transfer at Hunters Point, 14 December 1970.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 92k The ex-Razorback (SS-394) as the Muratreis (S-336) is the second boat on the left, middle boat is the Cerbe (S-340), ex-Trutta (SS-421), the ex-Sea Fox (SS-402) as the Burakreis (S-335) (2nd from right), with other Turkish subs; one of which is the ex-Tang (SS-563) as the Pirireis (S-343) and the other as ex-Gudgeon (SSAG-567), now the Hizirreis (S-342).Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 91k The Burakreis (S-335) returns back to the Sub base at Golcuk. Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 143k Burakreis (S-335) official crew photo, 1974. Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 126k Sea Fox served for dinner aboard the Burakreis (S-335), 1973. Photo courtesy of George M. Arnold & Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Sea Fox 84k The Burakreis (S-335) decommissioning from Turkish Navy, 1 July 1996.Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy.
View the Sea Fox (SS-402)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
USS Sea Fox SS-402
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Guppy Submarines
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
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