of Japan, when on 15 August the “Cease Firing” order arrived. Pilotfish remained on station off Kii Suido for continued lifeguard duty, and neutrality patrol. On 31 August Pilotfish rendezvoused with other ships and proceeded to Tokyo Kaiwan in order to participate in the initial occupation of Japan and the formal surrender ceremonies. The afternoon of 31 August all submarines of the formation moored alongside in Yokosuka Naval Basin. On 3 September, Pilotfish got underway for Pearl Harbor and San Francisco. Disposal By a directive dated 1 July 1946, Pilotfish was selected for disposal by use as a target for Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. Moored 363 yards (332 meters) from "surface zero," she was sunk by the Test Baker underwater atomic bomb explosion on 25 July 1946, the explosion′s pressure waves compressing her hull and forcing her hatches open, completely flooding her. She was decommissioned on 29 August 1946 and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 25 February 1947. Many sources claim that the wreck of Pilotfish was refloated, towed to Eniwetok Atoll, again used as an atomic bomb test target there during Operation Sandstone in 1948, and resunk off Eniwetok as a target on 16 October 1948. However, in 1991 the U.S. National Park Service reported that this narrative is incorrect, and that Pilotfish′s wreck was not salvaged after her 1946 sinking and remains on the bottom of the lagoon at Bikini Atoll. Honors and awards Pilotfish received five battle stars for World War II service. References External links Balao-class submarines World War II submarines of the United States Ships built in Kittery, Maine 1943 ships Ships sunk as targets Shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean Ships involved in Operation Crossroads Maritime incidents in 1946