USS BEAR SS-318?

When I first began this website back in 2000, I had the pleasure of speaking with John Anderson, who was a TM1c aboard the Baya during World War II. When I asked him about the ship's insignia (thinking that he would say, as so many others have said, that the Baya had no real insignia, just the crest) he said that someone from the crew had contacted Walt Disney Studios to have them design a battle flag insignia for the Baya as they had for so many other units and ships. Mr. Anderson stated that the sailor who contacted Walt Disney had a thick Boston accent and when he would say the name of the sub, it came out as "BEAR." Mr. Anderson stated that when the flag arrived on the Baya it was a picture of a bear with boxing gloves on.
After hearing this I searched the Internet looking for any sites that had World War II art produced by the Walt Disney Studios. After finding none, I decided to go straight to the source and I wrote an email to Disney's Records Department, really not expecting a response. Within a week I had a photocopy of a black&white picture they had in their archives and a letter from Robert Tieman, Manager of the Disney Archives. He also sent a copy of the following letter, addressed to Walt Disney Productions in Hollywood, California, and written by Frederick C. Wyse, Jr. LT. USN it was on U.S.S. Baya letterhead and dated April 27, 1945:

Dear Sirs: Our ship, the U.S.S. BAYA, is a submarine that has completed several war patrols in enemy waters with telling results. The morale of the crew is believed to be above average, and this spirit and cooperation that exists is enheartening. But what is lacking is some sort of a symbol or insignia that is solely that of this vessel. It might be said that the Captain, Lieutenant Commander Ben C. Jarvis can be used as a basis for this. He is a rather large man, weighing 257 pounds, standing six feet three inches and having a chest that is 56 inches normally with a 36 inch waist. Our idea was a grizzly bear standing on his rear legs in a circle showing an expression of both hatred and fierceness and ripping to shreds a Japanese Man-of-War flag. The Man-of-War flag should not be confused with the Merchant flag as they are two entirely different designs. He should be a very dark shade yet maintaining a natural color scheme. We would appreciate it if this insignia were put on a canvas so no one could duplicate it. Any nautical background would be very fitting. Upon completion of this request please forward it in care of R.E. Cole, CGM, Fleet Post Office, U.S.S. BAYA, San Francisco, California. For the officers and men of the U.S.S. BAYA, I wish to thank your studio in advance for fulfillment of this request. Very truly yours,

Frederick C. Wyse, Jr.,

This is what Walt Disney came up with:

Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by Disney

I've been sent a picture of the actual full color drawing that Disney did. It is in a private collection. Thanks to Terry Aitken Senior Curator, National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Several questions need to be answered. Was this insignia ever flown or displayed on the BAYA? Or was it received too late to be flown or painted on the side? Is there another insignia of a bear with boxing gloves that Mr. Anderson mentioned? I've heard from several sailors that the insignia was painted on the wall in the galley and it was eventually painted over, but was still visible under the paint in the 1950's. If anyone has a picture of it actually painted on the boat, please email a copy of the picture to me at USSBAYA@AOL.COM