Honolulu in Honolulu County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)

USS Bowfin (SS-287) WWII Fleet Submarine

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 26, 2025

1. USS Bowfin (SS-287) WWII Fleet Submarine Marker

Inscription.
USS Bowfin played a significant role in defeating Imperial Japan.

Named after a voracious predatory fish and nicknamed the "Pearl Harbor Avenger," Bowfin completed nine war patrols from 1945 1945 and navigated 100,000 nautical miles-with no significant harm to her crew.

She lived up to her namesake and her nickname by attacking 44 Japanese ships and sank at least 34 vessels. Among 263 Pacific Fleet submarines that made war patrols, she ranks within the top 20 for ships and tonnage sunk.

Bowfin was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, and Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Look for more information in the Museum and on the App.

[Caption:]
Bowfin was officially credited with sinking 16 Japanese vessels plus 22 smaller craft for a total of 67,822 tons.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 21° 22.12′ N, 157° 56.329′ W. Marker is in Honolulu, Hawaii, in Honolulu County. It can be reached from Arizona Memorial Road west of Kamehameha Highway (Hawaii

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Route 99), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Arizona Memorial Rd, Aiea HI 96701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor and Historic West Oahu.

Globally, it is in North America,

Polynesia,

the Pacific Ocean,

North Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S.S. Bowfin (SS287) (here, next to this marker); Lost Submarine Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Mark 14 Torpedo (a few steps from this marker); A Legacy of Service (a few steps from this marker); MK 14 Exercise Torpedo (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Mark 14 Torpedo (a few steps from this marker); Mark 14: Early Failures (within shouting distance of this marker); Regulus (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Honolulu.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mark 14 Steam-Driven Torpedo (was here, next to this marker but

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 26, 2025

2. USS Bowfin (SS-287) WWII Fleet Submarine Marker

has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.