FINAL MISSION: THE USS TANG EXPERIENCE

Final Mission: The USS Tang Submarine Experience places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on 25 October 1944. They will relive the last epic battle of the USS Tang and feel a deeper appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in the intense, confined world of underwater warfare.

The story of the USS Tang’s final mission will be told in the context of the US Navy’s evolution of tactics in submarine warfare. Initiated with the USS Wahoo, then carried further by the Tang and her commander, Richard “Dick” O’Kane (who had served as the executive officer on the Wahoo), this new strategy employed dangerous, risky engagement with the Japanese on the surface of the ocean. The result was devastating losses to Japanese shipping. But with increased effectiveness came increased vulnerability and, for the USS Tang, a high ultimate cost.

Final Mission:The USS Tang Submarine Experience is both intimate and personal — accommodating 27 visitors per “patrol.” Each will receive a “watch bill” representing a specific Tang crewmember and many will be “enlisted” to perform specific tasks to navigate through the battle. At the end of the experience, they will discover if they were among those lost or one of the few who, after a harrowing ordeal at sea, suffered on in Japanese captivity.

Final Mission Show Times

Final Mission: The USS Tang Submarine Experience is available daily beginning at 9:35 am until 4:55 pm — showing hourly at 15, 35 and 55 after the hour. On Fridays and Saturdays, shows at 5:15 pm and 5:35 pm will also be available. Final Mission can accommodate a maximum of 27 visitors. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

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Final Mission: The USS Tang Submarine Experience includes loud noises, flashing lights, smoke effects and sudden floor movements that may aggravate certain medical conditions. Employing interactive visitor stations, Final Mission: The USS Tang Submarine Experience is based on an actual WWII battle that resulted in loss of life, and may be too intense for some visitors. Viewer and parental discretion is advised.

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