View source for USS Barb (SS-220)

{{Short description|US Navy Gato-class submarine}}
{{Other ships|USS Barb|Italian submarine Enrico Tazzoli}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2023}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS Barb (SS-220) underway in May 1945.jpg|300px|USS Barb "The Submarine that sank the greatest tonnage by Japanese Records"]]
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1954}}
|Ship name=USS ''Barb''
|Ship namesake=[[Barbus]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[General Dynamics Electric Boat]], [[Groton, Connecticut]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates">{{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History|publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]]|year=1995|location=[[Annapolis, Maryland]]|pages=285–304|isbn=1-55750-263-3}}</ref>
|Ship laid down=7 June 1941<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
|Ship launched=2 April 1942<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. Charles A. Dunn
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=8 July 1942<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
|Ship decommissioned=12 February 1947<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
|Ship identification=SS-220
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=yes
|Ship recommissioned=3 December 1951<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
|Ship decommissioned=5 February 1954<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=yes
|Ship recommissioned=3 August 1954<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
|Ship decommissioned=13 December 1954<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates" />
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=15 October 1972<ref name="Register">{{cite book|last=Bauer|first=K. Jack|author2=Roberts, Stephen S. |title=Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants|publisher=Greenwood Press|year=1991|location=[[Westport, Connecticut]]|pages=271–273|isbn=0-313-26202-0}}</ref>
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship fate=Transferred to [[Italy]] on 13 December 1954<ref name="Register" />
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=Italy
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Italy|naval}}
|Ship name=''Enrico Tazzoli''
|Ship acquired=13 December 1954
|Ship commissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship identification=S 511
|Ship fate=Sold for scrap in 1972
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|Gato|submarine|0}} [[diesel-electric]] [[submarine]]<ref name="Register" />
|Ship displacement={{convert|1525|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} surfaced,<ref name="Register" /> {{convert|2424|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} submerged<ref name="Register" />
|Ship length={{convert|311|ft|9|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="Register" />
|Ship beam={{convert|27|ft|3|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="Register" />
|Ship draft={{convert|17|ft|abbr=on}} maximum<ref name="Register" />
|Ship propulsion={{Fleet-boat-propulsion-early-GM-4-GE}}
|Ship speed={{convert|21|kn|km/h|abbr=on}} surfaced,<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 305-311</ref> {{convert|9|kn|km/h|abbr=on}} submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs" />
|Ship range={{convert|11000|nmi|km|abbr=on}} surfaced @ {{convert|10|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs" />
|Ship endurance=48 hours @ {{convert|2|kn|km/h|abbr=on}} submerged,<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs" /> 75 days on patrol
|Ship test depth={{convert|300|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs" />
|Ship complement=6 officers, 54 enlisted<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs" />
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament={{Fleet-boat-armament-3-inch}}
}}
|}

'''USS ''Barb'' (SS-220)''', a {{sclass|Gato|submarine}}, was the first ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[Barbus]], a genus of [[ray-finned fish]]. She compiled one of the most outstanding records of any U.S. submarine in [[World War II]]. During her twelve war patrols, ''Barb'' is [[Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee|officially credited]] with sinking 17 enemy vessels totaling 96,628 tons, including the Japanese aircraft carrier {{Ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Un'yō||2}}. In recognition of one outstanding patrol, ''Barb'' received the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]. On her twelfth and final patrol of the war, she landed a party of carefully selected crew members who blew up a train, the only ground combat operation in the Japanese (four main) home islands.

== United States Navy service history ==

=== World War II ===
The keel of USS ''Barb'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 7 June 1941 by the [[Electric Boat]] Company of [[Groton, Connecticut]]. She was [[ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 2 April 1942 (sponsored by Mrs. Charles A. Dunn, wife of [[Rear Admiral]] Dunn), and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 8 July 1942.

''Barb''{{'}}s war operations spanned the period from 20 October 1942 – 2 August 1945, during which time she completed 12 war patrols.

==== European Theater – First through fifth patrols ====
During her first patrol she carried out reconnaissance duties prior to, and during, the [[Operation Torch|invasion of North Africa]]. Operating out of [[Rosneath naval base]], [[Scotland]] until July 1943, she conducted her next four patrols against the Axis blockade runners in European waters. ''Barb''{{'}}s fifth patrol terminated 1 July and she proceeded to the Submarine Base, [[New London, Connecticut]], arriving on 24 July.

==== Pacific Theater – Sixth through twelfth patrols ====
Following a brief overhaul period at New London, ''Barb'' departed for [[Naval Base Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] where she arrived in September. It was in the Pacific waters that ''Barb'' found lucrative hunting and went on to compile one of the more outstanding submarine records of [[World War II]]. During the seven war patrols she conducted in the Pacific between March 1944 and August 1945, ''Barb'' is officially credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels totaling 96,628 tons, including {{Ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Un'yō||2}}, sunk on 17 September 1944. On 15–16 September ''Barb'' rescued 14 Australian and British POW survivors of {{SS|Rakuyō Maru}}.<ref>Allbury, A. G. ''Bamboo and Bushido'' London Viking Press 1955 pp248-52 – survivor account.</ref>

[[File:USS Barb crew 1945 i03570.jpg|left|thumb|Members of the submarine's demolition squad pose with her battle flag at the conclusion of her 12th war patrol. Taken at Pearl Harbor, August 1945.]]
The last five war patrols (8-12) conducted by ''Barb'' were under [[Commander (United States)|Commander]] [[Eugene B. Fluckey]]. Her 11th patrol lasted from 19 December 1944 – 15 February 1945, in the [[Formosa Straits]] and [[East China Sea]] off the east coast of [[China]], from [[Shanghai]] to [[Kam Kit]]. During this patrol, ''Barb'' sank four Japanese merchant ships and numerous enemy small craft. On 22–23 January ''Barb'' penetrated Namkwan Harbor now called Yanpu Wan (沿浦湾)<ref>See the identification of Namkwan Wan with Yanpu Wan e.g. in [https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/history_ww2.html "United States and Pacific Ocean Areas: Air Target Maps and Photos, China Coast, Ningpo to Canton". U.S. Pacific Command, 15 October 1944], [https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/china_coast_ningpo_to_canton-1944.pdf map No. 22]</ref> on the [[China]] coast, opposite the [[Matsu Islands]], and wrought havoc upon a convoy of some 30 enemy ships at anchor. Maneuvering in dangerously 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 [[Medal of Honor]] and ''Barb'' received the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]].

Upon completion of her 11th patrol, ''Barb'' was sent to the U.S. for a yard overhaul and alterations, which included the installation of {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}} rocket launchers at the Captain's request. Returning to the Pacific, she commenced her 12th and final patrol on 8 June. This patrol was conducted along the coasts of the [[Sea of Okhotsk]]. For the first time in U.S. submarine warfare, ''Barb'' successfully employed rockets, against the towns of [[Shari, Hokkaido]]; [[Shikuka]]; [[Kashiho]]; and [[Shiritoru]] on [[Karafuto]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smithsonian Channel|date=2018|title=The First Submarine to Launch Rockets from its Deck – YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19RoP9WHkZ8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/19RoP9WHkZ8| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-04|website=youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 2 July; she also bombarded the garrison on [[Tyuleny Island (Sea of Okhotsk)|Tyuleny (Kaihyo) Island]] with her regular armament, destroying the constructions and causing the fire. She next landed a party of carefully selected crew members who blew up a railroad train.

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 were: Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, USN; Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R. Hatfield, USNR; Signalman 2nd Class Francis Neal Sever, 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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fluckey|first=Eugene B.|title=Thunder Below!: The USS *Barb* Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jm-iiEis05AC|year=1997|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=978-0-252-06670-2|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Jm–iiEis05AC&pg=PA429 429]}}</ref>

=== Post-war history ===
Returning to the [[United States]] after the cessation of hostilities, ''Barb'' was placed in commissioned reserve on 9 March 1946 and decommissioned reserve on 12 February 1947 at [[New London, Connecticut]]. On 3 December 1951, she was recommissioned and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, operating out of [[Key West, Florida]]. She was again decommissioned on 5 February 1954 and underwent the [[Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program#GUPPY IB boats|Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program]] (GUPPY) conversion. Recommissioned on 3 August 1954, she served with the Atlantic Fleet until 13 December 1954, when she was decommissioned a final time and loaned to [[Italy]] under the [[Mutual Defense Assistance Program]].

== ''Enrico Tazzoli'' (S 511) ==
The submarine was renamed [[Enrico Tazzoli (priest)|''Enrico Tazzoli'' (S 511)]] by the [[Marina Militare|Italian Navy]], after [[Enrico Tazzoli (priest)|Enrico Tazzoli]], an Italian priest.

The submarine was eventually sold for scrap in 1972 for approximately $100,000 (currently ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|100000|1972|r=-3}}}}). Admiral Fluckey noted that, had the crew known of this, they would have bought the sub and brought her back to the U.S. to serve as a museum ship.<ref>{{harvnb|Fluckey|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Jm-iiEis05AC&pg=PA423 423]}}</ref>

== Awards ==
* [[File:United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|106px]] [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]
* [[File:U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|106px]] [[Navy Unit Commendation]]
* {{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]] with one [[battle star]]
* {{ribbon devices|number=7|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with seven battle stars
* [[File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[World War II Victory Medal]]
* [[File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[National Defense Service Medal]]

== Legacy ==
''Barb''{{'}}s battle flag is on display at the [[Submarine Force Library and Museum]] in [[Groton, Connecticut]].

[[USS Barb (SSN-596)|Another submarine]] was named for USS ''Barb'' and served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1989.

On 13 October 2020, Secretary of the Navy [[Kenneth Braithwaite]] announced that a future [[Virginia class submarine|''Virginia''-class submarine]] ([[USS Barb (SSN-804)|SSN-804]]) will be named for USS ''Barb''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/10/14/Next-Navy-sub-to-be-named-USS-Barb-after-storied-WWII-vessel/8011602693848/|title=Next Navy sub to be named USS ''Barb'' after storied WWII vessel|work=United Press International}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of most successful American submarines in World War II]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/barb-i.html}}

== Further reading ==
* Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (1992). ''Thunder Below!'' {{ISBN|0-252-06670-7}}.
* Carl Lavo (2007). ''Galloping Ghost: The Extraordinary Life of Submarine Captain Eugene Fluckey''. {{ISBN|1-59114-456-6}}/

== External links ==
* [http://hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss220.htm hazegray.org: USS ''Barb'']
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08220.htm navsource.org: USS ''Barb'']
* [https://www.homeofheroes.com/heroes-stories/eugene-fluckey/ ''The Sub That Sank a Train'']
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/obituaries/01cnd-fluckey.html?ex=1340942400&en=db46628c017e4fa5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss ''New York Times'' obituary of R.Adm. Fluckey]
* [http://pigboats.com/ww2/barb.html Kill record: USS ''Barb'']
* [https://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb09909539/zoom/0 Chart of Namkwan Bay]

{{Portal bar|United States|Italy|Engineering}}
{{Gato class submarine|others}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barb (Ss-220)}}
[[Category:Gato-class submarines]]
[[Category:Ships built in Groton, Connecticut]]
[[Category:1942 ships]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War submarines of the United States]]
[[Category:Gato-class submarines of the Italian Navy]]