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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

Barb (SS-220)

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Mike - Oscar

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Post WW II & Transfer to Italy

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

Presidential Unit Citation
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the UNITED STATES SHIP Barb (SS-220) for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
"For extraordinary heroism in action during the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh War Patrols against enemy Japanese surface forces in restricted waters of the Pacific. Persistent in her search for vital targets, the Barb relentlessly tracked down the enemy and struck with indomitable fury despite unfavorable attack opportunity and severe countermeasures. Handled superbly, she held undeviatingly to her aggressive course and, on contacting a concentration of hostile ships in the lower reaches of a harbor, boldly penetrated the formidable screen. Riding dangerously, surfaced, in shallow water, the Barb launched her torpedoes into the enemy group to score devastating hits on the major targets, thereafter retiring at high speed on the surface in a full hour's run through uncharted, heavily mined and rock obstructed waters. Inexorable in combat, the Barb also braved the perils of a topical typhoon to rescue fourteen British and Australian prisoners of war who had survived the torpedoing and sinking of a hostile transport ship en route from Singapore to the Japanese Empire. Determined in carrying the fight to the enemy, the Barb has achieved an illustrious record of gallantry in action, reflecting the highest credit upon her valiant officers and men and upon the United States Naval Service."
Submitted by Bill Gonyo.

Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 7 June 1941, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 2 April 1942; Commissioned USS Barb (SS-220), 8 July 1942; Decommissioned, 12 February 1947, at New London, CT.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 3 December 1951; Decommissioned, 5 Februarty 1954, for Guppy conversion; Recommissioned, 3 August 1954; Decommissioned, and loaned to Italy, 13 December 1954; Struck from the Naval Register, 15 October 1972; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 1 April 1975, by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service. Barb received the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, and eight battle stars for her World War II service.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity, 97,140 gals., four General Electric main motors, HP 2740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin propellers.

Size	Image Description	Contributed By/ Source
29k	Commemorative post marking the double ocassion of the first keel layings at Electric Boat's South Yard & Barb (SS-220) keel laying, 7 June 1941.	Courtesy of petloveshack.com.
17k	Commemorative post marking the Barb's (SS-220) launching, 2 April 1942.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
27k	Commemorative post marking the Barb's (SS-220) launching, 2 April 1942.	Courtesy of petloveshack.com.
28k	Stern view of the Barb (SS-220), probably during her sea trials, April - June 1942.	US Navy photo courtesy of subnet.com.
34k	Commemorative post marking the Barb's (SS-220) commissioning, 8 July 1942.	Courtesy of petloveshack.com.
78k	Two of the 6 subs of from Sub Squadron 50: Barb (SS-220), *Blackfish (SS-221), Herring* (SS-233), Shad (SS-235), Gunnel (SS-253), and Gurnard (SS-254) tied up at Rosneath, Scotland, circa 7 December 1942. The sub tender Beaver (AS-5) is in the background.	USN photo courtesy of jmlavelle.com.
98k	A 1943 Watercolor by the artist Dwight Clark Shepler entitled "Jerry Hunters, Rosneath, Scotland." portrays the stern view of the sub tender Beaver (AS-5) and 3 of the 6 subs of Sub Squadron 50: Barb (SS-220), Blackfish (SS-221), Herring (SS-233), Shad (SS-235), Gunnel (SS-253), and Gurnard (SS-254).	Painting #87 / 88-199-CK. Courtesy of the USNHC.
103k	Broadside view of the Barb (SS-220) after modifications at Mare Island, CA., 29 January 1944. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 9 Dec. 1943 until 30 Jan 1944.	USN photo # 716-44, courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
96k	Stern view of the Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 29 Jan 1944.	USN photo # 714-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
78k	Bow on view of the Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 29 Jan 1944.	USN photo # 718-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
70k	Barb (SS-220) is shown here rescuing British and Austrailian survivors of Japanese prison ship *Rakuyo Maru* , torpoded by Sealion (SS-315). Rescue was by *Sealion, Growler* (SS-215) & Queenfish (SS-393).	Courtesy of Theodore Roscoe, from his book "U.S. Submarine Operations of WW II", published by USNI.
214k	"Bone in teeth, a Jap DD pursues Barb (SS-220) whose periscope is seen going under on the get-away. The submarine, commanded by Eugene B. Fluckey, has just torpoded a tanker and the escort carrier *Unyo* on the 15th of September, 1944."	Drawing by Lt. Cmdr. Fred Freemen, courtesy of Theodore Roscoe, from his book "U.S. Submarine Operations of WW II", published by USNI.
53k	A 1944 Charcoal drawing by the artist Griffith Baily Coale entitled "Battle Surface" could very well depict the Barb (SS-220) at Battle Surface. "The last two war patrols conducted by *Barb* are deserving of special mention. Under Commander E. B. Fluckey she commenced her 11th patrol 19 December 1944. The patrol was conducted in the Formosa Straits and East China Sea off the east coast of China, from Shanghai to Kam Kit. During this patrol, which lasted until 15 February 1945, *Barb* sank four Japanese merchant ships and numerous enemy small craft. On 22-23 January *Barb, displaying the ultimate in skill and daring, penetrated Namkwan Harbor on the China coast and wrought havoc upon a convoy of some 30 enemy ships at anchor. Riding dangerously in shallow waters, Barb* launched her torpedoes into the enemy group and then retired at high speed on the surface in a full hour's run through uncharted, heavily mined, and rock-obstructed waters. In recognition of this outstanding patrol, Commander Fluckey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and *Barb* received the Presidential Unit Citation."	Text courtesy of DANFS. Painting #45 / 88-188-AS Courtesy of the USNHC.
66k	Commander Eugene B. Fluckey, USN,Commanding Officer, Barb (SS-220) wearing the Navy Cross on board Barb after receiving the medal from Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, 6 December 1944. Note *Barb's* insignia painted on her fairwater, behind Commander Fluckey.	Official USN photo # NH 103534, courtesy of USNHC & submitted by Robert Hurst.
297k	Barb's (SS-220) Battle flag depicting her accomplishment after her 11th war patrol in early 1945. Photo likely taken at the shipyard flag loft. The flag loft did a lot work on submarine battle flags during the war.	USN photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
99k	Commander Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (third from left)wearing the Medal of Honor after its presentation by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal (second from left) in ceremonies at the Navy Department, 23 March 1945. Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King is at left. Mrs. E.B. (Marjory) Fluckey is third from right, standing next to her husband. At right are Commander and Mrs. Roy M. Davenport, USN. Cdr. Davenport received the Navy Cross at this time.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 103535 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
60k	Port beam view of the Barb (SS-220) in San Francisco Bay on 3 May 1945.	USN photo # 19-N-83952, courtesy of USNHC & submitted by Robert Hurst.
230k	Stern view of Barb (SS-220) departing Mare Island on 3 May 1945.	USN photo # 3262-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
223k	Broadside view of Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 3 May 1945. She was in overhaul at the yard from 27 Feb until 16 May 1945.	USN photo # 3264-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
267k	Bow on view of Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 3 May 1945.	USN photo # 3266-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
91k	*Barb* (SS-220) underway off Mare Island California, 3 May 1945.	US Navy photo contributed by John Hummel, USN (Retired).
267k	Forward plan view of Barb's (SS-220) conning tower at Mare Island on 7 May 1945.	USN photo # 3365-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
284k	After plan view of Barb's (SS-220) conning tower at Mare Island on 7 May 1945. Sunfish (SS-281) is inboard of *Barb*.	USN photo # 3364-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
143k	Barb (SS-220) taken in May 1945 off of San Francisco just before she departed for Pearl Harbor and from there on her legendary last war patrol. Photo taken from a ZP-32 airship.	USN photo courtesy of David Buell. Photo added 03/06/09.
116k	Members of the Barb's (SS-220) demolition squad pose with her battle flag at the conclusion of her 12th war patrol. Taken at Pearl Harbor, August 1945. During the night of 22-23 July 1945 these men went ashore at Karafuto, Japan, and planted an explosive charge that subsequently wrecked a train. They are (from left to right): Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, USN; Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R. Hatfield, USNR; Signalman 2nd Class Francis N. Sevei, USNR; Ships Cook 1st Class Lawrence W. Newland, USN; Torpedomans Mate 3rd Class Edward W. Klingesmith, USNR; Motor Machinists Mate 2nd Class James E. Richard, USN; Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class John Markuson, USN; and Lieutenant William M. Walker, USNR. This raid is represented by the train symbol in the middle bottom of the battle flag.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 103570, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.