Museum
| Battle Flags |
 |
 |
 |
World War II Submarine Battle Flags
|
Hanging from the ceiling beams in the World War II section of the museum are replicas of submarine battle flags of submarines that fought the war in the Pacific. Because these flags are unofficial and were individually designed by the crewmen of the different boats, the creativity, style and design of each varies. The one element common to all of them is the pride of the men who served. 
Generally, a submarine’s battle flag included a mascot in caricature, a record of enemy ship sinkings and important commendations awarded to the boat (the Presidential Unit Citation, for example). Damaged ships, airmen rescued, mines laid and other special missions were also indicated on the flags.
A few boats, which were highly successful, chose not to incorporate a battle record into their design. One such boat was the USS Parche. Other points of interest are the German U-Boat sunk by and USS Barb, the Vichy French ship sunk by Bowfin, and ten aviators rescued by USS Scabbardfish. 
Time continues to be a battle flag’s worst enemy. Without proper conservation battle flags deteriorate rapidly in an uncontrolled environment of bright lights and humidity. The temperature and humidity are controlled and monitored by the museum staff daily. Once damage has occurred, it cannot be reversed, even in the hands of a conservator. The few original flags on display are rotated to prevent any further deterioration. The large majority of battleflags are in controlled collections.
Standard Battle Flag Symbols| Flag Emblem | What it means? |
| Stars | Number of war patrols |
| Japanese national flag | Merchant ships sunk |
| Rising sun flag (Japanese Naval ensign) | Number of military ships sunk |
| Partial flag | Damaged ships |
| Blue, yellow and red pennant | U. S. Presidential Unit Citation |
| Red, white & Blue | Vichy French Vessel sunk by Bowfin |
Secrets of the Sub
| Vargas Girls |
Vargas Girls
Artist Alberto Vargas became famous for his WWII watercolors depicting beautiful pin-up girls. "Varga girls" were so popular that many different artists immitated Vargas’ technique and approach to the female figure: an idealized female form eliciting sensuality and seduction. During the 1940’s his work was a hit amongst enlisted men who drew inspiration from them which inadvertently created high morale. The military was so influenced by this art that they adorned their vessels with it. Many military aircraft had Varga style girls decorating the nose of their planes, Varga girls were even printed on greeting cards and sent to enlisted men by their sweethearts. Inside the engine room aboard USS Bowfin, the crew posted a 1943 Vargas calendar, on which they doodled, wrote notes, and recorded their conquests of the sea. |
