This is a historic landmark complex consisting of a Waterfront Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine (SS-287), and a 10,000-square foot Museum. The Waterfront Memorial stands in silent tribute to the more than 3,500 American submariners and 52 submarines that have been reported lost during the second World War. It is located next to the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center.

Docked nearby is the USS Bowfin, a World War II submarine which was nicknamed the "Pearl Harbor Avenger." The submarine provides an opportunity for visitors to go below deck and wind through the narrow compartments where the 80-man crew worked, ate and slept while on patrol during WWII and the Korean War. Visitors are given a cassette player that narrates their tour as they explore this historic submarine.

The USS Bowfin is a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy named for the bowfin, a fresh water fish of the eastern United States. It was laid down by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard at Kittery, Maine on July 23, 1942 and was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. The Bowfin was commissioned on May 1, 1943 with Commander Joseph H. Willingham in command.

The Bowfin went on to sink 44 enemy ships during the course of her extraordinary war patrols. She completed nine war patrols operating from the Netherlands East Indies to the Sea of Japan and the waters south of Hokkaido. Bowfin sank 15 merchantmen and one frigate for a total of 68,032 tons. She also shared credit with Aspro (SS-309) for a 4,500-ton merchantman. Bowfin was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her 2nd offensive war patrol and the Navy Unit Commendation for her 6th offensive war patrol and eight battle stars for her involvement in World War II.

The USS Bowfin operated with the Atlantic Fleet until it was decommissioned on February 12, 1947 and placed in reserve at New London in Connecticut. She was recommissioned on July 27, 1951 and was decommissioned again on April 22, 1954 and placed in reserve at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. She was recommissioned on January 10, 1960 and served as a pierside trainer at Seattle, Washington. She was redesignated an Auxiliary Research Submarine in 1962. On December 1, 1971, Bowfin was decommissioned for the final time and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.

Acquired from the US Navy in 1979 by the Pacific Fleet Memorial Association, the USS Bowfin was later brought to Pearl Harbor in 1980. It was officially opened to the public as a "museum ship" in April 1, 1981. The Bowfin was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 by the Department of the Interior.

The 10,000-square foot Museum nearby exhibits a variety of submarine-related artifacts, including weapon systems, battle flags, photographs, and submarine models. It provides an extensive look at the fascinating history of submarines from the first daring attempt in 1776 to use a submersible in warfare to the feats of today's nuclear submarines. Also on exhibit is the Purple Heart Medal that was awarded to crewmember Reid Lee who was the lone Bowfin casualty of war. In addition, visitors can watch submarine-related videos in the mini theater of the museum. The theater has a collection of more than 50 episodes of "The Silent Service," a classic 1960 television series that based its stories on actual World War II patrol events.

The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year's Day.