This resume of different jobs held by a single vessel is testimony to the ongoing and very fine tradition of innovation and adaptability by American submarines and all the men who crew them. The repurposing over the last few years of four deep water Ohio-class strategic deterrent subs, to become littoral-combat undersea fortresses with huge cruise missile strike and special operations support capabilities instead, is just one example of how hardware and warfighting doctrine can so smoothly change as defense needs change from era to era. The addition of an extra 100-foot, high capacity ocean interface hull section to the third and final Seawolf-class sub, USS Jimmy Carter, is but another success story in how materiel modifications have always kept the U.S. Submarine Force well prepared and relevant. Such mission flexibility really dates back a few generations, even to before the advent of nuclear power.

USS Cavalla was commissioned on February 29, 1944. During six war patrols against Imperial Japan, she sank 34,180 tons of enemy shipping. Her greatest achievement during the Second World War was to sink the carrier Shokaku, a major player in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

Then one national security epoch transitioned to the next. The end of World War II led quickly to the start of the Cold War. New enemies needed to be contained, deterred, and spied on in whole new ways. Cavalla answered the call. The Gato-class fleet boat went through major modifications to start her second career. For better submerged speed and quieting, her deck armaments were removed. Two of her forward torpedo tubes, and one of her three diesel engines, were also taken out. This latter might seem odd for a ship intended to go once again in harm's way. But it was done to be able to build in revolutionary new combat and surveillance capabilities. The tubes made way for a brand-new bow sonar array, whose electronics -- cutting edge stuff in those days -- were installed aft in the footprint where that big diesel had sat. Cavalla went back to war as an SSK, a hunter-killer, against the Evil Empire of the Soviet Union, a war which to submariners was never really "cold."

In 1963 the reliable lady Cavalla went through some further upgrades and was redesignated again, as AGSS-244. Now she was an experimental antisubmarine research vessel, a vital role as the Cold War became ever more high tech. In 1971 she was retired from active duty and began her fourth career, in Galveston, as a museum ship, being gradually restored by the loving hands of submariners and enthusiasts -- efforts that continue today.

Now the Cold War is over and the War on Terror rages, and Cavalla still serves to educate and inspire the public about the exciting, ever changing contributions of America's Silent Service. She also fulfills a more somber purpose. Beside her is a stepped plaza including plaques memorializing each of the diesel boats lost in World War II. To be a submariner has always been a dangerous profession. Even more than the ships they've sailed, such dedicated warriors of each time period deserve our deep respect and our lasting gratitude.

JoeBuff.Com / Joe Buff Inc. Joe Buff, President Dutchess County, New York E-Mail readermail@JoeBuff.Com