From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Batfish

A batfish is any of several fishes; a pediculate fish of the West Indies, the flying gurnard of the Atlantic, or a California sting ray.

(SS-310; dp. 1526; l. 311'8"; b. 27'3"; dr. 16'10"; s. 20.3 k.; cpl. 66; a. 1 5", 10 21" TT.; cl. Balao)

Acoupa (SS-310) was renamed Batfish 24 September 1942; launched 6 May 1943 by Portsmouth Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. A. J. Fortier; and commissioned 21 August 1943, Lieutenant Commander W. R. Merrill in command.

Batfish's war operations span a period from 11 December 1943 to 26 August 1945 during which she completed six war patrols. She is credited with having sunk nine Japanese ships totaling 10,658 tons while operating east of Japan, in the Philippine Sea, Luzon Strait, and South China Sea. Combatant vessels sunk were: the destroyer Samidare, 26 August 1944 in 08°30' N., 134°37' E. and the submarines RO-55, 10 February 1945 in 18°56' N., 121°34' E.; RO-112, 11 February 1945 in 18°53' N., 121°50' E.; and RO-113, 13 February 1945 in 19°10' N., 121°25' E.

Batfish returned to the United States after the Japanese surrender and following completion of her pre-inactivation overhaul was placed out of commission in reserve at Mare Island Navy Yard 6 April 1946.

On 7 March 1952 she was recommissioned and on 21 April assigned to Submarine Division 122 based at Key West, Fla., to carry out training duty. Since that time she has operated between Key West and Caribbean ports.

Batfish received the Presidential Unit Citation for her sixth war patrol in the South China Sea during which she sank the three Japanese submarines. She was also awarded nine battle stars for her World War II service.