Growler Patrol Flag

The former USS Growler (SSG-577) was an early U.S. Navy guided missile submarine. Commissioned on August 30, 1958, Growler was designed to launch and guide Regulus I nuclear missiles. Between 1960 and 1963, Growler conducted eight patrols in the western Pacific Ocean, each of which lasted about two months.

During a visit to Japan, Growler crew members created a souvenir patrol flag. The flag illustrated basic information about the submarine, such as the Regulus I missile. The yellow stripes marked each of the submarine’s patrols.

The flag also hints at more playful events from the vessel’s history. For instance, the totem pole was displayed at the now-closed Adak Naval Operating Base in Alaska. The totem pole was the focus of practical jokes by visiting submariners. When Growler was in port in 1962, crew members stole the totem pole and stashed it on board the submarine. Adak personnel searched the submarine but did not find the missing pole, so it traveled to Pearl Harbor with Growler. Word of the theft preceded Growler’s arrival at Pearl Harbor. The admiral at Pearl Harbor ordered Growler’s commanding officer to return Adak’s landmark with a letter of apology—after complimenting him on a prank well done.