USS Ray (SS-271)

The History of Ray (SS-271)

The USS Ray (SS-271) was one of many Gato-class diesel-electric attack submarines built for the United States Navy (USN) during World War II (1939-1945). Before retiring, she successfully completed eight war patrols. After recommissioning in the early 1950s, she was converted into a "radar picket" submarine, a role she held throughout the second half of the century.

The Ray became another ship in the fabled Gato-class ships serving the U.S. Navy during global conflicts.

The Gato-class ships consisted of 77 ships and were part of a large-scale rearmament of the U.S. Navy in 1941-1943. The series was in service with the other two major submarine designs in the conflict, the Barau and Tinche classes. Since submarine crewing is one of the most dangerous jobs in war, it's no surprise that 20 of their own Gato submarines were killed in action. Fifty-seven survived the war (some served until the late 1960s), and six were eventually preserved as floating museums.

The Gato-class is notable in USN history as it was the first attack craft to be air-conditioned from the start of development.

For her service in World War II, the Thunder received seven Battle Stars and a U.S. Navy Unit Commendation for her exploits on the Sixth War Patrol. In addition, the ship was awarded the "Presidential Unit Commendation of the Republic of the Philippines".

In the face of a growing threat from Soviet bombers to the U.S. carrier fleet, the U.S. Navy resumed service with the USS Ray as a radar alert submarine. To accommodate the new equipment, her hull was lengthened by 24 feet, and she lost the rear torpedo tubes to make more room for the sleeping quarters.

Her sails have been lengthened and enlarged to accommodate brand new systems including BPS-2 search radar, AN-BPS-3 altitude radar and AN/URN-3 TACAM beacon. The refit took place at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and resulted in the ship receiving a new hull classification "SSR-271" as early as January 1951. Initial stages of crew training and official operations with the US Navy and the US Navy in the Atlantic and Mediterranean NATO flags.

In the role of radar pickets, submarines are used as the first line of defense in the search and tracking of potential airborne threats to U.S. battle groups led by their powerful aircraft carriers. This role was eventually filled by AEW (fixed-wing airborne early warning) aircraft launched from the carrier deck.

In June 1958, she was dismissed and retired. On April 1, 1960, her name was removed from the Naval Register and her hull was stripped of its military value. In December of the same year, the ship was sold as scrap.

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AIR WING