USS Jallao, SS-368, Balao class submarine USS Jallao (SS-368), a Balao-class submarine, was launched by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, Wisc., March 12, 1944; and commissioned July 8, 1944, Lieutenant Commander Joseph B. Icenhower in command. After spending most of July in training operations, Jallao departed Manitowoc 26 July for Chicago, where she was loaded into a floating dry dock for the long trip down the Mississippi to New Orleans. She subsequently departed New Orleans 6 August 1944, and steamed through the Panama Canal to the Pacific and arriving Pearl Harbor on September 22, 1944. First war patrol, October – December 1944 The submarine sailed 9 October for her first war patrol, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf late in October; they were directed to take up scouting positions between the Philippines and Japan to cut off Japanese cripples struggling home after their devastating defeat at the Battle off Cape Engaño. On the evening of 25 October Jallao contacted damaged light cruiser Tama and moved to attack. She fired seven torpedoes; three hit and sent the Japanese warship to the bottom. After this notable success on her maiden patrol, Jallao continued her search until 28 November, returning to Majuro 10 December. Second–fourth patrols, January – September 1945 Jallao sailed for the Yellow Sea for her second war patrol 6 January 1945. The decimated Japanese merchant marine offered few targets. However, she flushed a convoy 5 March. During the attack she had a close call when an enemy escort trying to ram her damaged her periscope. Jallao departed Guam 31 July to patrol the Sea of Japan. On this, her fourth and final patrol, the submarine sank 6,000-ton freighter Timoko Maru 11 August 1945. Four days later hostilities ended; and the ship sailed via Guam to San Francisco, where she arrived 28 September 1945. She was decommissioned at Mare Island 30 September 1946, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Jallao`s home port was changed to New London in July 1953, for a GUPPY IIA conversion in which she was streamlined and equipped with snorkeling gear and new electric equipment. SPS Narciso Monturiol (S-35) On 26 June 1974, Jallao was decommissioned, struck from the US Naval Register, and transferred (sold) under the terms of the Security Assistance Program, to Spain. The submarine was commissioned into the Spanish Navy as SPS Narciso Monturiol (S-35), named after Narcis Monturiol. Monturiol was decommissioned 12 December 1984, and scuttled off Cartagena in 1985. Back to History Index Image Country Year Description Malawi 2010 USS Jallao, SS-368 (Balao class, 1944)