USS Plunger (SS-179) Ship's Log 
YearDateHistorical Events
1935Jul 17Keel laid down by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME.
1936Jul 17Launched.
 Nov 19Commissioned with LT. George L. Russell in command.
1937Apr 15Plunger departed Gravesend Bay, N.Y. for shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay,Cuba, the Canal Zone, and Guayaquil, Equador.
 Nov 1Plunger steamed to San Diego, CA. to join SubDiv 14, SubRon 6.
1938Mar 15Plunger joined Holland (AS 3) and 5 P-class subs for a cruise to Dutch Harbor, AK.
1941Nov 30Plunger reported to Pearl Harbor, HI. and was off Diamond Head when Japanese planes attacked 7 December.
 Dec 14With Gudgeon (SS-211) and Pollack (SS-180), Plunger departed Pearl Harbor on her 1st war patrol to Kii Suido, a principal entrance into the Inland Sea and an important funnel to industrial bases in the area.
1942Jan 18Plunger sank the Japanese cargo ship Eizon Maru.
 Jun 5Plunger's 2nd war patrol took her off Shanghai.
 Jun 30Plunger sank the 4,700-ton cargo ship Ukai Maru No. 5.
 Jul 2Plunger sank the cargo ship Unyo Maru No. 3.
 Jul 15Plunger returned to Midway Island.
 Aug 22Plunger sank the 4,655 ton Ryokai Maru.
 Oct 12Plunger departed Pearl Harbor on her 3rd war patrol, to reconnoiter the area and to block the "Tokyo Express." However, Plunger hit an uncharted reef 2 November, destroying her sound gear and damaging her bottom.
 Dec 10After repairing at Brisbane, Plunger returned to the Guadalcanal area for her 4th war patrol and operated off Munda, where Japanese barges were coming in at night, unloading troops and supplies, and departing by day break.
 Dec 10After repairing at Brisbane, Plunger returned to the Guadalcanal area for her 4th war patrol and operated off Munda, where Japanese barges were coming in at night, unloading troops and supplies, and departing by day break.
 Dec 17Plunger slipped past four destroyers and attacked two others unloading at Munda Bar. After seeing two of her "fish" explode, she slipped away from a counterattack.
1943Jan 12Plunger arrived at Pearl Harbor, HI.
 Mar 12Plunger sank the Taihosan Maru.
 May 10Plunger destroyed the Tatsutake Maru and Kinai Maru.
 Jun 1Plunger joined Lapon and Permit in the first U.S. penetration into the Sea of Japan, an area abounding with Japanese shipping.
 Jul 26Plunger returned to Midway Island.
 Aug 6Plunger departed Midway Island to return to the Sea of Okhotsk.
 Aug 20Plunger sank the 3,404 ton Seitai Maru.
 Sep 5Plunger returned to Pearl Harbor, HI.
 Oct 1Plunger reconnoitered in the Marshalls area. Plunger added lifeguard duties to her operations as U.S. bombers hit the islands.
 Nov 15Plunger stopped to pick up a downed pilot. During the rescue, a Zero strafed the boat, seriously wounding the executive officer and 5 bluejackets. Nevertheless, the submarine rescued LTJG. Franklin George Sehramm.
1944Jan 1Frequent depth-charge attacks pursued Plunger in January 1944 as she patrolled off the Japanese main islands.
 Feb 2Plunger sank the Toyo Maru No. 5 and the Toyo Maru No. 8.
 Feb 23Plunger sank the Kimishima Maru.
 Mar 8Plunger returned to Pearl Harbor, HI.
 May 8Plunger departed Pearl Harbor, HI. to patrol the Bonin Islands. In July, she patrolled in and around Truk.
 Sep 19Plunger reported to Pearl Harbor, HI. for overhaul.
1945Feb 15Plunger departed for New London, CT. to serve in a training capacity.
 Oct 25Plunger reported to New Haven, CT. for Navy Day celebrations.
 Oct 30Plunger reported to the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, MA.
 Nov 15Decommissioned.
1946May 1Plunger was fitted for service as a Naval Reserve Training vessel and reported to Brooklyn, N.Y., remaining there until 8 May 1952, when she departed for Jacksonville, FL. to support the Naval Reserve Training Program.
1954Feb 18Plunger returned to New York.
1956Jul 6Struck from the Naval Register.
1957Apr 22Plunger was sold to Bethlehem Steel Co., Bethlehem, PA.