Palatka in Putnam County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Basil C. Pearce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Photographed By James R. Murray, October 5, 2014
1. Basil C. Pierce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
First marker:
Basil C. Pearce, Jr.
USS Tang Memorial
Dedicated by Richard H. O'Kane, Skipper
August 17, 1943 - October 25, 1944
Elton Brubaker, USS Flier (SS250) Aug. 13, 1944
Constructed by
Basil Pearce Chapter
U.S. Submarine Veterans of WW2
Built by Sam Enzor
Second marker:
U.S.S. Tang (SS 306)
(List of Names)
Lost in World War II
October 1944
Third marker:
Still on Patrol
U.S. Navy submarines paid heavily for their success in World War II. A total of 374 officers and 3131 men are on board these 52 U.S. submarines still on "patrol."
We shall never forget that it was our submarines that held the lines against the enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds.
Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz, U.S.N.
I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who survived them took a grim toll of our savage enemy to avenge their deaths.
Vice Admiral C. A. Lockwood, Jr., U.S.N.
Commander Submarine Force 1943-1946
P.F.S. 59
(List of submarines)
Fourth marker:
Submarine memorial
Gerald Merwin Pres.
Paul Rogers V. Pres.
Harwood Johnson P.R.
An additional, nearby marker:
This
this page online
The Mark XIV torpedo anti-ship weapon displayed is powered by a methanol fueled, steam turbine, power plant range/speed
Low speed: 9,000 yards at 31 knots
High speed: 4,500 yards at 46 knots
Guidance system - gyrosmpe
The Mk-14 torpedo was the U.S. Navy's standard submarine-launched torpedo of World War II
Two Putnam County Florida shipmates "Still on Patrol" are named on the memorial.
Elton Brubaker, San Mateo, - USS Flier SS-250 - Aug. 1944
Basil Pearce, Jr., East Palatka, - USS Tang SS-306 - Oct. 1944
Submarine veterans and the U.S. Navy Submarine Force considered this site as "sacred ground"
Maintained by Palatka Parks Department and USS Florida base, U.S. Submarine Veterans, Putnam County, Florida.
Erected 1986 by US Submarine Veterans Putnam County Florida.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Still On Patrol series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1965.
Location. 29° 38.722′ N, 81° 37.759′ W. Marker is in Palatka, Florida, in Putnam County. Memorial is on Memorial Parkway north of Laurel Street, on the
Photographed By James R. Murray, October 5, 2014
2. Basil C. Pierce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Crew list from the USS Tang, one of the markers at the memorial
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Putnam County High School Band WWII Memorial (here, next to this marker); Still on Patrol (here, next to this marker); Woodmen of the World Vietnam Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); William Bartram's Travels (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Presbyterian Church of Palatka (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bartram Trail in Putnam County (about 400 feet away); Explore the St. Johns River (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palatka.
Photographed By James R. Murray, October 5, 2014
3. Basil C. Pierce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
"Still on Patrol" plaque
Photographed By James R. Murray, October 5, 2014
4. Basil C. Pierce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Additional plaque on the memorial
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 19, 2019
5. Basil C. Pearce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 19, 2019
6. Basil C. Pearce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 19, 2019
7. Basil C. Pearce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 19, 2019
8. Basil C. Pearce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Photographed By James R. Murray, October 5, 2014
9. Basil C. Pierce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Long view of the memorial, which is a torpedo encased in a brick display.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 19, 2019
10. USS Tang Memorialviewed from a distance
Photographed By James R. Murray, December 28, 2014
11. An Additional marker at the USS Tang Memorial
Photographed By James R. Murray, October 5, 2014
12. USS Tang Memorial Panoramic View
From the nose of the torpedo the Vietnam Memorial and the WWII memorial flagpole can be seen. The Veterans Memorial and fountain is just to the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 820 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 5, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 19, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 8. submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 9. submitted on October 5, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 10. submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 11. submitted on December 29, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 12. submitted on October 5, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
