On May 23, 1939, the submarine USS Squalus sank in 243 feet of water off New Hampshire — and the race to save her 33 surviving crew members became one of the most gripping rescue operations in naval history. Aviation played a crucial support role, and the event unfolded through early June as the rescue and salvage continued.
The sinking of the Squalus and the remarkable rescue that followed captured the attention of the entire nation. Navy patrol aircraft were among the first assets on scene, flying search patterns and coordinating with surface vessels to locate the stricken submarine and guide the rescue ships to the exact position.
This was 1939 — before GPS, before satellite communications, before most of the technology we take for granted today. Navy aviation provided critical eyes-above coordination that made the difference in the rescue of those 33 men. The 26 who died in the flooded aft compartments could not be saved, but the fact that anyone survived was a near-miracle of seamless multi-service coordination.
Naval aviation has always been about more than combat. Search and rescue, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare — these are missions that require skill, endurance, and the ability to operate in the most demanding environments on Earth.
The USS Squalus rescue showed what aviation and naval teamwork can do in a crisis. At Cleared4Tees, we honor those who answered the call.
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Blue skies and tailwinds — The Cleared4Tees Crew ✈️
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