Spadefish was a Balao-class submarine, SS-411. Mare Island Navy Yard laid her down on 27 May 1943. Mrs. Francis W. Scanland sponsored her at the launch on 8 January 1944, and the Navy commissioned her on 9 March 1944. Gordon Waite Underwood had her from that day.
Her first patrol was in company with the submarines Picuda and Redfish.
On her second patrol, on 17 November 1944, she sank the escort carrier Shinyo. Shinyo was on the way to Singapore. The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships gives no position for that sinking.
Underwood was relieved on 26 February 1945. Spadefish was decommissioned at Mare Island on 3 May 1946. She was reclassified AGSS on 6 November 1962, struck on 1 April 1967, and scrapped.