Time line:

• Burrfish's keel was laid by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine on 24 February, 1943
• Launched: 18 June, 1943. Sponsored by Miss Jane Elizabeth Davis;
• Commissioned: 14 September, 19434 with LCdr William B. Perkins, Jr. in command
• Decommissioned: 10 October 1946;
• Recommissioned: 2November 1948;
• Decommissioned: 17 Decembe 19565
• Recommissioned: 17 January 1961;
• Decommissioned and loaned to Canada as HMCS Grilse (SS-71);
• Returned and struck from the Navy List 19 July, 1969
• Sunk as a target off California 19 November 1969.

War operations of USS Burrfish (SS-312) extended from 2 February 1944 to 13 May 1945 during which time:

• Burrfish completed six war patrols, sinking one 5894-ton Japanese tanker. Her operating area extended from the Western Caroline Islands to Formosa and the waters south of Japan.
• Burrfish also participated with USS Ronquill (SS-396) in the destruction of a 200-ton patrol vessel.
• During her third war patrol the ship accomplished several special missions, conducting reconnaissance of the beaches of Palau and Yap where landings were planned.
• Burrfish received five battle stars for her World War II service.

Burrfish arrived at Pearl Harbor from her last war patrol 13 May, 1945. On 16 May she was ordered to return to the United States for major overhaul and arrived at Portsmouth Navy Yard 19 June. On 12 October 1945 she reported to New London, Conn., for inactivation and was placed out of commission in reserve 10 October 1946.

• On 2 November, 1948 Burrfish was recommissioned and assigned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for conversion to a radar picket submarine. Her designation was changed to (SSR-312) on 27 January 1949
• The Radar Pickett (SSR) conversion was completed in November ,1949.
• Burrfish returned to duty with the active fleet 7 February, 1950 and was assigned to Submarine Squadron 6 at Norfolk.
• Between February ,1950 and June 1956 she completed three tours with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean; participated in several major type and inter-type exercises; and operated along the eastern seaboard as a radar picket ship.
• On 5 June 1956 Burrfish sailed from Norfolk to New London where she reported for inactivation. She was placed out of commission in reserve 17 December 1956. She was later recommissioned once again 1 August 1957 and decomissioned for the last time
• 11 May 1961 Burrfish was loaned to the Canadian Navy (RCN) and commissioned HMCS Grilse II (SS-71).
• She was returned by the Canadians and struck from the Navy list 19 July 1969
• 19 November, 1969 Burrfish was painted and rigged as a radio controlled target for a trial of the new Mk 46 torpedo, then just entering service. An SH-3 helicopter hit her with a single fish and Burrfish sank to the bottom off San Clemente, California in 1600 feet of water at position 32° 53' N latitude, 118° 36' W longitude.

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