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'''Bang''' (SS 385) was laid down on April 30, 1943 at Kittery, [[Maine]], by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard; launched on August 30th.  It was sponsored by Mrs. Robert W. Neblett, and commissioned on December 4, 1943, Lt. Comdr. Antone R. Gallaher in command.

'''Bang''' (SS 385) was laid down on April 30, 1943 at Kittery, [[Maine]], by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard; launched on August 30.  It was sponsored by Mrs. Robert W. Neblett, and commissioned on December 4, 1943, Lt. Comdr. Antone R. Gallaher in command.

Following four weeks of shakedown training off New England, the [[submarine]] departed New London on 8 February 1944 and headed for the Pacific. After transiting the [[Panama Canal]], she proceeded to [[Pearl Harbor]] for intensified training in torpedo approaches, evasive maneuvers, and simulated warfare. As March came to an end, ''Bang'' was fully provisioned and ready for battle. On the 29th of that month, she departed Pearl Harbor in company with ''Parche'' (SS 384) and ''Tinosa'' (SS 283) for her first war patrol. After a one day fueling stop at Midway, the trio continued to their patrol area in Luzon Strait and waters southwest of [[Formosa]].

Following four weeks of shakedown training off New England, the [[submarine]] departed New London on 8 February 1944 and headed for the Pacific. After transiting the [[Panama Canal]], she proceeded to [[Pearl Harbor]] for intensified training in torpedo approaches, evasive maneuvers, and simulated warfare. As March came to an end, ''Bang'' was fully provisioned and ready for battle. On the 29th of that month, she departed Pearl Harbor in company with ''Parche'' (SS 384) and ''Tinosa'' (SS 283) for her first war patrol. After a one day fueling stop at Midway, the trio continued to their patrol area in Luzon Strait and waters southwest of [[Formosa]].

On 17 July, the ship headed back to Pearl Harbor for refit, which continued into the last week of August. She left Pearl Harbor again on the 27th, refueled at Midway on 31 August, and continued to waters northeast of Formosa off the Nansei Shoto. While passing northwest of the Bonin Islands to take up her station, Bang encountered an enemy convoy on 9 September. Diving to make a periscope attack, she fired a salvo at two loaded freighters, both of which--the 1,804 ton Tokiwasan Maru and the 1,916 ton Shoryu Maru--disintegrated due to internal explosions triggered by the hits. The escorts evidently sighted Bang's periscope and torpedo wakes, because as she dove deep, the depth charges accurately drove her down beyond her test depth to 580 feet where depth control almost disappeared. A pattern of 16 charges exploded directly over the boat, but Bang waited out her enemies. The escorts departed apparently satified that they had scored a kill, but Bang suffered only minor damage which her crew easily repaired. Three days later, she arrived on station.

On 17 July, the ship headed back to Pearl Harbor for refit, which continued into the last week of August. She left Pearl Harbor again on the 27th, refueled at Midway on 31 August, and continued to waters northeast of Formosa off the Nansei Shoto. While passing northwest of the Bonin Islands to take up her station, Bang encountered an enemy convoy on 9 September. Diving to make a periscope attack, she fired a salvo at two loaded freighters, both of which—the 1,804 ton Tokiwasan Maru and the 1,916 ton Shoryu Maru—disintegrated due to internal explosions triggered by the hits. The escorts evidently sighted Bang's periscope and torpedo wakes, because as she dove deep, the depth charges accurately drove her down beyond her test depth to 580 feet where depth control almost disappeared. A pattern of 16 charges exploded directly over the boat, but Bang waited out her enemies. The escorts departed apparently satified that they had scored a kill, but Bang suffered only minor damage which her crew easily repaired. Three days later, she arrived on station.

Bang (SS-385) received six battle stars for her [[World War II]] service.<ref>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b2-list.htm]</ref>

Bang (SS-385) received six battle stars for her [[World War II]] service.<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b2-list.htm Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]</ref>

==References==

==References==