WWII Lost Boat USS Seawolf SS-197 Celluloid Launch Button / Badge

This is a World War II launch tag for a lost boat, the USS Seawolf SS 19Courtesy of www.hazegray.org: SEAWOLF (SS-197) was laid down on 27 September 1938 by the Portsmouth (N.H.) Navy Yard; launched on 15 August 1939; sponsored by Mrs. Edward C. Kalbfus; and commissioned on 1December 1939, Lt. Frederick B. Warder in command. SEAWOLF and submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) exchanged radar recognition signals at 0756 on 3 October in the Morotai area. Shortly thereafter, a 7th Fleet task group was attacked by a Japanese submarine. Destroyer escort SHELTON (DE-407) was torpedoed, and sister ship RICHARD M. ROWELL (DE-403) stood by to search for the enemy. Two planes were sent from the escort carrier MIDWAY (CVE-63) to assist in the search. One of the planes sighted a submarine submerging and dropped two bombs on it even though it was in a safety zone for American submarines. The site was marked by dye and RICHARD M. ROWELL steamed to the area, made sound contact and attacked with "hedgehogs." The second attack was followed by underwater explosions, and debris rose to the surface. No further contact was made with SEAWOLF, and her position would have placed her in the area where the plane and RICHARD M. ROWELL made their attacks. On 28 December 1944, SEAWOLF was announced overdue from patrol and presumed lost. She was struck from the Navy list on 20 January 194SEAWOLF received 13 battle stars for World War II service.

LAUNCH DATE : August 15, 1939.

About 1-1/2" in diameter.

Celluloid button.

Horizontal safety-style pin.

None.

This is from a large collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. LEEX SMDEX7/09 SEEX11/10

8+ (Excellent): Very minor wear and tarnishing.

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