San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Maritime National Park Association and the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II convened on Memorial Day 2026 for the annual Lost Boat Ceremony aboard the historic USS Pampanito. The solemn event, held at Pier 45, honored the 52 U.S. submarines and approximately 3,500 officers and enlisted men lost during World War II, a conflict where the Navy's submarine force, known as the "Silent Service," endured the highest casualty rate of any U.S. military branch. The Voice of San Francisco reported on the ceremony, stating, "Lost Boat Ceremony aboard the USS Pampanito."
The time-honored tradition, established by WWII submarine veterans, pays tribute to those on "eternal patrol" and submariners lost during both wartime and peacetime. The ceremony's core involves a poignant roll call of each lost submarine, with its fate solemnly recounted, followed by the tolling of a muted bell and a ceremonial flag dip. Attendees, including Scout Troop 415 and the Lincoln High School Color Guard, gathered on a blustery, gray morning to participate in the remembrance.
The USS Pampanito, a Balao-class submarine, itself a veteran of six WWII patrols in the Pacific, serves as a fitting memorial and National Historic Landmark at Fisherman's Wharf. Ship manager Emilio Mackie and San Francisco Maritime National Park Association President Paul Roesler delivered welcome remarks. U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Dwayne Chapman served as the guest speaker, emphasizing the importance of remembering individual sacrifices.
During the "Tolling the Boats" segment, veterans Steve Paganelli and Mike Brigandi read the names of the lost submarines, detailing the circumstances of their crews' fates. Approximately 50 attendees participated in the traditional act of remembrance, casting red and white carnations into the bay, symbolizing wreaths laid at gravesites for those lost at sea. Chapman concluded the ceremony by urging everyone to "stand up for our nation's ideals, even when it's hard," a message resonating in turbulent times.
