Museum

Regulus

Regulus

The Mail Missle

Ever heard of receiving your mail via a missile? Sounds crazy, but on 8 June 1959 a Regulus I missile, just like the one you see here, was loaded with 3,000 letters and launched from the submarine USS Barbero (SS-317). The missile traveled over 100 miles for approximately 22 minutes over the Atlantic Ocean. It made a successful landing at Mayport Naval Air Station in Mayport, Florida to deliver 3,000 letters that the U.S. Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield had written to key political figures such as President Eisenhower. Each envelope had a picture of the Regulus I and said "First Official Missile Mail."

Secrets of the Sub

Submarine Rescues

A critical task performed by the US submarine force during World War II, was the rescuing of downed pilots and air crews; They were so efficient at it, that they rescued 520 US airmen from the Pacific Ocean waters. One of those rescued, went on to become President of the United States.

Rescueing George H. W. Bush

Former US President George H. W. Bush Sr. He was rescued by the USS Finback after being shot down while he was on an air strike mission over Chichi Shima in the Bonin Islands during 2 September 1944.

USS Tang Group Photo

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard H. O'Kane (center), poses with the twenty-two aircrewmen that Tang rescued off Truk during the carrier air raids there on 29 April-1 May 1944. The photograph was taken upon Tang's return to Pearl Harbor from her second war patrol, in May 1944.