5 Key Facts Uss Robert E Lee

The USS Robert E. Lee was a historic submarine that played a significant role in the United States Navy during World War II. Here are five key facts about this remarkable vessel:

Commissioned in 1940: The USS Robert E. Lee was commissioned on November 16, 1940, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine. The submarine was built by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and was the third ship to bear the name of the famous Confederate general.
Balao-class submarine: The USS Robert E. Lee was a Balao-class submarine, a class of submarines designed to operate in the Pacific Theater during World War II. These submarines were known for their speed, maneuverability, and advanced sensors.
Patrols and victories: During its service, the USS Robert E. Lee conducted seven war patrols in the Pacific, sinking several Japanese ships, including a cargo vessel and a tanker. The submarine also participated in the Battle of Midway and was involved in several other key naval battles.
Commanding officers: The USS Robert E. Lee had several notable commanding officers during its service, including Lieutenant Commander Richard H. O'Kane, who would later become a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions as the commanding officer of the USS Tang.
Decommissioning and fate: The USS Robert E. Lee was decommissioned on August 8, 1946, and was placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. The submarine was later sold for scrapping in 1960, bringing an end to its illustrious career.

Design and Construction

The USS Robert E. Lee was designed and built by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The submarine was part of the Balao-class, a class of submarines designed to operate in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The Balao-class submarines were known for their speed, maneuverability, and advanced sensors.

The USS Robert E. Lee was 312 feet (95 meters) long and had a beam of 27 feet (8.2 meters). The submarine had a draft of 16 feet (4.9 meters) and displaced 1,525 tons of water. The USS Robert E. Lee was powered by four General Motors diesel-electric engines, which produced 5,400 horsepower.

The submarine was equipped with 10 torpedo tubes, six forward and four aft, and carried a crew of 80 officers and men.

World War II Service

The USS Robert E. Lee played a significant role in the United States Navy during World War II. The submarine conducted seven war patrols in the Pacific, sinking several Japanese ships, including a cargo vessel and a tanker.

The USS Robert E. Lee participated in the Battle of Midway and was involved in several other key naval battles. The submarine also conducted reconnaissance missions and provided support for Allied forces during the war.

War Patrols

The USS Robert E. Lee conducted seven war patrols during World War II:

First war patrol: The USS Robert E. Lee departed from Pearl Harbor on December 13, 1941, and conducted a patrol in the Marshall Islands. The submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on January 27, 1942.
Second war patrol: The USS Robert E. Lee departed from Pearl Harbor on February 24, 1942, and conducted a patrol in the Mariana Islands. The submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on April 5, 1942.
Third war patrol: The USS Robert E. Lee departed from Pearl Harbor on May 10, 1942, and conducted a patrol in the Solomon Islands. The submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on June 25, 1942.
Fourth war patrol: The USS Robert E. Lee departed from Pearl Harbor on July 15, 1942, and conducted a patrol in the Caroline Islands. The submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on September 2, 1942.
Fifth war patrol: The USS Robert E. Lee departed from Pearl Harbor on October 5, 1942, and conducted a patrol in the Gilbert Islands. The submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on November 20, 1942.
Sixth war patrol: The USS Robert E. Lee departed from Pearl Harbor on December 15, 1942, and conducted a patrol in the Marshall Islands. The submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on February 1, 1943.
Seventh war patrol: The USS Robert E. Lee departed from Pearl Harbor on March 10, 1943, and conducted a patrol in the Mariana Islands. The submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on April 25, 1943.

Legacy

The USS Robert E. Lee played a significant role in the United States Navy during World War II. The submarine's bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered.

The USS Robert E. Lee was decommissioned on August 8, 1946, and was placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. The submarine was later sold for scrapping in 1960, bringing an end to its illustrious career.

Gallery of USS Robert E. Lee

USS Robert E. Lee Image Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the USS Robert E. Lee's primary mission during World War II?

The USS Robert E. Lee's primary mission during World War II was to conduct war patrols in the Pacific and attack Japanese ships.

How many war patrols did the USS Robert E. Lee conduct during World War II?

The USS Robert E. Lee conducted seven war patrols during World War II.

What was the USS Robert E. Lee's fate after World War II?

The USS Robert E. Lee was decommissioned on August 8, 1946, and was placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. The submarine was later sold for scrapping in 1960.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about the USS Robert E. Lee's history and legacy. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to ask.