Leadership Transition as Charles Merkel Retires and Homer Ring Takes the Helm
Earlier this month, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (PFSM) announced that Executive Director Charles “Chuck” Merkel will retire on May 1 of this year, marking the end of a distinguished nine-year tenure defined by transformative leadership. The museum’s Board of Directors has named Andrew “Homer” Ring as Merkel’s successor.
Read more HERE.
Read full Newsletter HERE.
December 23, 2024
Celebrating the 82nd Anniversary of the USS Bowfin
This December marks the 82nd anniversary of the USS Bowfin (SS-287), a milestone that honors the pivotal role of American submariners in helping turn the tide of the War In The Pacific during World War II. Launched on December 7, 1942, one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Bowfin (SS-287), she was appropriately dubbed as the “Pearl Harbor Avenger.”
In this edition…
Answering The Call: Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Thanking Our Supporters
Read full newsletter HERE.
Bowfin News | November 29, 2024
You’re invited to a special presentation by the Commanding Officers of PCU Arizona (SSN 801) and PCU Utah (SSN 803). These amazing submarines are under construction and the Commanding Officers are in Pearl Harbor over the next week and will be providing these presentations in person. There is no charge to attend.
Please join us this Thursday December 5, 2024, Noon to 1:00pm
at the Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor National Memorial Theatre
for a historic presentation by
The Commanding Officer of the Future
CDR Chris Hornung, U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer PCU USS Utah (SSN 801)
Read more HERE.
Please join us this Sunday December 8, 2024, at 10:30am
at the Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor National Memorial Theatre
for a historic presentation by
The Commanding Officer of the Future
CDR Tom E. Digan Jr., U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer PCU USS Arizona (SSN 803)
Read more HERE.
NOTE: Please be advised that bags are not allowed in the park and there is a $7 parking fee for those who drive and park at the park.
November 26, 2024
In this edition…
Submarine Museum Scholarships Lay Foundation for Future Trade Careers
As part of its commitment to preparing students for the local trade industry, eight Honolulu Community College students recently received scholarships funded by the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (PFSM) to further their education.
An initial endowment of $26,000 – provided by the submarine’s Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association and managed by the University of Hawai‘i Foundation – provides $3,000 scholarships to each of the HCC eight students for this school year. Submarine museum officials and the board of directors visited the HCC campus last week to meet and acknowledge the scholarship winners. Read more HERE.
Additionally…
>> Honoring Our Veterans
>> Military Family Appreciation Month
Read full newsletter HERE.
October 29, 2024
In this edition…
Our museum reached a major milestone earlier this month in celebrating its 11 millionth visitor to the USS Bowfin submarine.
The Jordan family from Wollongong, Australia were named the 11 millionth visitor and greeted with lei after touring the historic Bowfin submarine.
“We are grateful to all who have visited our museum since opening to the public over 40 years ago,” said Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. “It has been a privilege to share this historic vessel and its stories with people from around the world.” Read more HERE.
Additionally…
>> Honoring the Navy’s Birthday and Navy Day
>> From the Museum Collection
>> U.S. Military Service Members Receive Free Entry into Pearl Harbor Historic Sites on Veterans Day.
Read full newsletter HERE.
August 27, 2024
In this month’s edition…
>> Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum was honored with the prestigious 2024 Curatorial Excellence Award by Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC).
>> Honoring Our Bowfin Crew: “Gus” Gosnell
>> Join Our Intern Program
>> National Non-Profit Day
Read Newsletter HERE.
July 30, 2024
In this month’s edition…
>> FORGING FUTURE CAREERS: PFSM Educates Students on Trade Industry Jobs
>> PFSM Establishes New Scholarship Program
>> Honoring Our Bowfin Crew: Alf Weidner
Read Full Story HERE.
June 27, 2024
In this month’s edition…
>> Discovery of USS Harder Submarine
>> Honoring King Kamehameha
>> Honoring Our Bowfin Crew: Jerry Crane
>> July is National Parks and Recreation Month – An opportune time to explore the history and exhibits at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum.
Read Full Story HERE.
May 29, 2024
In this month…
>> Letters From Home: Memorial Day and Military Spouse Appreciation Month
>> Celebrating the 81st Anniversary of the Bowfin Commissioning
>> Recent Field Trips to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
>> Memorial Day Ceremony at Pearl Harbor Submarine Base
Read Full Story HERE.
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum | March 30, 2024
Behind many of our artifacts at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is a fascinating backstory. Some of the museum items on display were donated by World War II U.S. submariners and their families (including those of the Bowfin crew).
Two pieces of World War II history on exhibit are a sextant and binoculars. Interestingly, they were not used aboard a “friendly” American vessel, but a captured German submarine that made an incredible journey across the Atlantic Ocean from Argentina to the United States.
With the war wrapping up in September 1945, military officials ordered a captured German U-977 submarine be brought back to America to inspect the vessel’s technology (German U-boats were known for their superior design) and showcase the boat to the American public.
A U.S. Navy crew led by U.S Navy Chief Urbaniak was tasked with navigating the captured U-977 to Boston, Massachusetts from Argentina, where the Germans had relinquished control of the boat at the end of World War II.
While the submarine no longer faced the perilous prospect of combat during its trip, the American crew still had the daunting and dangerous task of navigating U-977 – deemed in poor working condition – across the vast Atlantic. The crew spent weeks cleaning, repairing, and learning to operate the unfamiliar German vessel, with U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Cooper playing a pivotal role in preparing the vessel for its voyage.
Their dedication was tested further when the vessel’s engines failed at sea, forcing them to make repairs on the open ocean.
Despite the challenges, the crew persevered and finally arrived in Boston in November 1945. The U-977 then went on a “Victory Tour” along the U.S. East Coast, showcasing the captured German technology and raising financial support for the war effort. In November 1946, the sub was sailed to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where it was sunk by the U.S. Navy off the coast of Massachusetts.
Today, the U-977’s sextant and binoculars on display stands as a reminder of its extraordinary voyage to America following the war. These artifacts bring history to life, offering a tangible connection to the past and serving as reminder of the American crew’s resilience and adaptability.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 