The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum proudly marks its 45th anniversary this year, commemorating four and a half decades of honoring the history, service, and sacrifice of the United States Navy’s Submarine Force. This milestone anniversary launches a year-long celebration recognizing the public opening of USS Bowfin and the growth of the museum campus at Pearl Harbor.

Moored at Pearl Harbor, USS Bowfin—known as the “Pearl Harbor Avenger”—occupies a unique place in American naval history. She was christened on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and went on to complete nine successful combat patrols in the Pacific between 1943 and 1945, contributing significantly to Allied victory in World War II.

In 1979, USS Bowfin was donated to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association. The Pearl Harbor site that would become the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park was subsequently secured, and the submarine opened to the public in April 1981. What began as a simple mooring and an empty dirt lot gradually expanded to include outdoor exhibits, memorials, and interpretive displays—forming the foundation of today’s museum campus. 

“USS Bowfin is more than a historic submarine—it is a living memorial to the courage, sacrifice, and innovation of the men who served aboard her and across the Silent Service,” said Andrew “Homer” Ring, Executive Director of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. “As we commemorate 45 years of welcoming visitors aboard Bowfin and across our museum grounds, we honor not only her remarkable wartime legacy, but also the generations of veterans, families, volunteers, and supporters who have ensured her story endures.”

In 1986, construction began on a dedicated museum facility, further expanding the institution’s mission to educate and inspire. Today, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum delivers immersive, hands-on experiences that connect visitors to the past, present, and future of undersea warfare. Following a major expansion and interior redesign completed in 2021, the museum now features three galleries chronicling the evolution of the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Force—from World War II, through the Cold War, and into the modern era and beyond.

Throughout this anniversary year, the museum will celebrate its legacy through special programming, events, and storytelling that highlight the service of submariners and the enduring relevance of the Silent Service.

As the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum reflects on 45 years of public service, it extends sincere gratitude to the veterans, volunteers, members, donors, and visitors whose support has sustained the museum’s mission. Your commitment ensures that USS Bowfin remains a powerful symbol of remembrance and education, inspiring future generations to learn from, honor, and preserve this extraordinary chapter of American history.