USS Raton (SS-270)

USS "Raton" (SS/SSR/AGSS-270), a .

The submarine sailed on 22 June for her final patrol of World War II, lifeguard duty off Hong Kong. No Allied planes went down in the area, and she made no enemy contacts. Arriving at Subic Bay 23 July for upkeep, "Raton" was preparing for her next patrol when the war ended. On 31 August 1945 she sailed for home, arriving at San Francisco in mid-September.

Post-war service, 1946–1948

Following overhaul at Mare Island Shipyard, "Raton" transited the Panama Canal, and arrived Naval Submarine Base New London on 12 March 1946 where she was assigned to the 2d Fleet. She spent the next 2½ years in training exercises in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean, helping to maintain America and the West's defense posture during the early years of the Cold War.

Radar picket submarine (SSR-270), 1953–1959

After being placed in reserve in the fall of 1948, "Raton" was decommissioned at New London, Conn., on 11 March 1949. She remained in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at New London until July 1952 when she was towed to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for conversion to a radar picket submarine. Redesignated SSR-270 on 18 July 1952, she was recommissioned 21 September 1953, Cmdr. J. K. Wills in command.

Departing Philadelphia on 8 December, she underwent training for several months in the Norfolk area. Ordered to the Pacific, she arrived at San Diego on 7 March 1954 via the Panama Canal.

The submarine spent the next year in local operations, before departing from San Diego on 11 May 1955 for a 6-month deployment to WestPac. She returned to San Diego on 6 November 1955. Prior to and following her second 7th Fleet deployment, 13 May 1957 – 8 November 1957, SSR-270 trained in exercises off the Pacific coast.

After overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, from 7 July to 24 November 1958, and underway training, the submarine deployed to the 7th Fleet from early March 1959 to mid-November, participating in operations with SEATO and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Auxiliary research submarine (AGSS-270), 1960–1968

In early 1960 "Raton" was engaged in local operations, including evaluation of new sonar concepts, and training of UDT personnel in covert reconnaissance. On 1 July 1960, "Raton" was redesignated an auxiliary submarine AGSS-270.

In Mare Island Naval Shipyard from January to April 1961 for a major overhaul, "Raton" sailed west for her fourth 7th Fleet deployment 3 July 1961, returning to San Diego 19 December. The year 1962 was occupied in fleet training operations off the west coast of the United States, providing services for air, surface, and submarine forces.

Her fifth post-World War II WestPac deployment, from January to June 1963, included participation in two major ASW exercises with U.S. and SEATO forces. Following an overhaul period from November 1963 to early March 1964, "Raton" deployed again from 6 July to 23 December to the Far East, where she operated with naval forces of Thailand, the Philippines, and the Republic of China, under the Military Assistance Program.

Local fleet and type operations filled 1965 and early 1966 when "Raton" once more followed the setting sun in mid-April for another tour of duty with the 7th Fleet. While deployed, "Raton" exercised with SEATO naval units in Exercise "Sea Imp". On 17 October 1966 AGSS-270 returned to San Diego.

1967 was spent in local operations, reserve training, and semiannual overhaul. On 20 May and 21 May 1968, "Raton" served as a test ship to determine that a small fleet tug could rescue men from a sunken submarine resting on the ocean floor. "Raton" commenced her final WestPac deployment 15 July 1968, arriving Yokohama 7 August. During her deployment AGSS-270 provided training services to 7th Fleet and SEATO units. The veteran submarine returned to San Diego 20 December 1968. She was decommissioned at Mare Island Naval Shipyard and stricken from the Navy List 28 June 1969. The stripped hull was designated as a target ship for Pacific Fleet gunnery exercise. She was sold for scrapping 10 December 1973.

"Raton" was awarded six battle stars for service in World War II.

References

External links

*navsource|08/08270|Raton
* [http://www.rddesigns.com/ww2/listr.html Sinkings by boat: USS "Raton"]