USS Loggerhead (SS-374) USS Loggerhead (SS-374) USS "Loggerhead" (SS-374/AGSS-374), a "Balao"-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the loggerhead, "Caretta caretta", a very large, carnivorous sea turtle common in the warmer parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. "Loggerhead" (SS-374) was laid down on 1 April 1944 by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, Wisc.; launched 13 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Barbara Fox; and commissioned on 9 February 1945, Commander Ralph M. Metcalf in command. "Loggerhead" emerged from the Manitowoc River into Lake Michigan on 1 March 1945 and headed via Chicago to Lockport, Ill., where she entered
USS Loggerhead (SS-374) these islands, the enemy shore batteries surprised her with hot fire. Evading the bursts of the Japanese shells through skillful maneuvers, "Loggerhead" escaped undamaged. She arrived at Fremantle on 19 July. The end of hostilities on 15 August found "Loggerhead" two days out of Fremantle heading for the Gulf of Siam on her second war patrol. She put in Subic Bay on 22 August, departed for the United States 31 August via Pearl Harbor, and arrived at San Francisco 22 September 1945. "Loggerhead" was decommissioned at Mare Island Navy Yard 16 June 1946 and was placed in the Pacific Reserve