Early WWII Lost Boat USS Grenadier SS-210 Celluloid Launch Button / Badge

This is an early World War II submarine launch badge for USS Grenadier SS-210, launched November 29, 1940 at Portsmouth (NH) Navy Yard. On her sixth and final war patrol, Grenadier was hit by a Japanese plane on her way to the Strait of Malacca and fatally crippled. After spending the night on the sea bottom while attempting futile repairs, the sub regained the resurface but was spotted and fatally torpedoed. Grenadier hit and inconvenienced her target but had to be abandoned. A Japanese merchant vessel picked up the 72 luckless survivors who still faced a grueling two year chain of imprisonment, torture and brutality that all but four of the crew survived. Grenadier received four battle stars for her World War II service.

Circa 1940.

Approximately 1-7/16" in diameter.

Celluloid-wrapped tin.

Vertical safety-style pin.

PHILA. BADGE CO. PHILA PA.

This is from a United States Navy collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VGXL02 LFJX7/11

6+ (Fine-Very Fine): The badge has slight denting and a crescent-shaped area of light discoloration.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.