USS Barbel Challenge Coin

February 4, 1945 - 81 Men Lost

Mint Condition Challenge Coin. Never Circulated.

A beautiful 1.75 inch brass coin honoring the men of World War II who gave their lives fighting for our country...

The front of the coin honors the USS Barbel SS-316. The back has the following quote:

"To the 374 officers and 3131 men of the Submarine Force who gave their lives in the winning of this war, I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who survived them took a grim toll of our savage enemy to avenge their deaths."

-Vice Admiral C.A. Lockwood, Jr. Commander Submarine Force, 1943 - 1946 About the USS Barbel... BARBEL, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. C.L. Raguet, departed Fremantle for her fourth war patrol on January 5, 1945. She proceeded to Exmouth Gulf, conducting training exercises en route. Having topped off with fuel, she left Exmouth Gulf on January 8th, and proceeded via Lombok Strait, Java Sea, and Karimata Strait to patrol an area in the South China Sea. At dark on February 16th she was to leave her area and commence her return to Fremantle.

On January 13th, BARBEL was directed to join BLUEGILL and BREAM in covering the western approaches to Balabac Strait. On 27 January she was ordered to form a wolf pack with PERCH and GABILAN and cover the western approaches to Balabac and southern entrance to Palawan Passage.

On February 3, 1945, BARBEL sent a message to TUNA, BLACKFIN and GABILAN reporting numerous aircraft contacts daily. BARBEL had been attacked by aircraft three times with depth charges, and would transmit a message “tomorrow night” giving information. This was the last contact with BARBEL. TUNA reported on February 6, 1945, that she had been unable to contact BARBEL for 48 hours, and that she had ordered her to rendezvous on February 7th. The rendezvous was not accomplished and TUNA reported her search unsuccessful on February 7th, 1945.

Japanese records indicate that on February 4th, 1945 a plane attacked a submarine scoring on hit near the bridge with one of two bombs dropped. It appears almost certain that this attack sank BARBEL.

BARBEL sank 10 ships for 55,200 tons and damaged two ships for 14,000 tons during her three completed patrols. Her first was made in the Nansei Shoto chain. She sank three medium freighters, a large freighter of 19,600 tons, and a large tanker. In the same area on her second patrol, BARBEL sank a freighter and two escort vessels. She also damaged another freighter and a tanker. During her third patrol, conducted in the South China Sea, BARBEL sank two medium freighters.

Would make an excellent addition to your collection or for your favorite sailor! Collect the entire series!

OPTIONAL: Our Air-Tite acrylic cases provide the ultimate long-term protection for your coin. They are made of crystal clear, hard Acrylic and will never yellow over time; the foam rings are made of Volara and both are free of PVC that could damage your coin.