USS Bullhead

During the greater portion of her first war patrol Bullhead performed lifeguard services and on two occasions bombarded Pratas Island, China, damaging enemy radio installations. She also rescued three airmen from a downed Boeing B-29 Superfortress following an airstrike on the China coast. On 8 April 1945, a United States Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator bomber mistakenly dropped three or four bombs on Bullhead as she submerged in the South China Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) southwest of Macao, China. Bullhead suffered no damage or casualties.[5] On 19 April, an Allied aircraft — probably another U.S. Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator, mistakenly dropped two depth charges on Bullhead as she submerged in the South China Sea. The depth charges detonated as Bullhead reached 100 feet (30 m). She suffered no damage or casualties.[6]

On her second patrol, in May and June 1945 in the Gulf of Siam and the South China Sea, Bullhead sank two small freighters, a schooner and a submarine chaser totaling 1,800 tons and damaged two more sub chasers and another small freighter, all in gun actions.[7]

USS Bullhead Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, dedicated 7 April 1979

On 31 July 1945 Bullhead left Fremantle submarine base, Western Australia to commence her third war patrol. Her orders were to patrol in a "wolfpack" with Capitaine and Puffer in the Java Sea until 5 September and then head for Subic Bay in the Philippines.

Bullhead reported on 6 August that she had passed through Lombok Strait. That was the last word received from Bullhead. On 12 August, Capitaine, planning to arrive on 13 August, ordered Bullhead to take position the following day in a scouting line with Capitaine and Puffer. Receiving no reply, Capitaine reported on 15 August, "Have been unable to contact Bullhead by any means since arriving in area."

Since the British submarines HMS Taciturn and Thorough were in the same general area as Bullhead, and Cod and Chub passed through in transit at various times, it is difficult to determine precisely which of the many Japanese anti-submarine attacks was the one that sank Bullhead. However, one occurred on 6 August 1945, when a Mitsubishi Ki-51 from the 73rd Independent Chutai (literally "company" or squadron) of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force attacked with depth charges. It claimed two direct hits, and for ten minutes thereafter, there was a great amount of gushing oil and air bubbles rising in the water. Since the position given is very near the Balinese coast, it is presumed that the proximity of mountain peaks shortened Bullhead's radar range and prevented her from receiving a warning of the plane's approach. 84 men were lost while serving on Bullhead during her service.