USS Guardfish (SS-217), a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the guardfish, a voracious green and silvery fish with elongated pike-like body and long narrow jaws. Guardfish was laid down by the Electric Boat Company at Groton, Connecticut. She was launched there on 20 January 1942 (sponsored by Mrs. Edward J. Marquart), and commissioned at New London, Conn., 8 May 1942, Lt. Comdr. Thomas B. Klakring in command. The crew list for that first run is as follows: