Original Grouping. One-of-a-Kind. Few submarines throughout the history of naval warfare have a service record that even comes close to that of the USS Barb. She compiled one of the most outstanding records of any U.S. submarine in World War II. During her twelve war patrols, Barb is officially credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels totaling 96,628 tons, including the Japanese aircraft carrier Un'yō. In recognition of one outstanding patrol, Barb received the 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 U.S. ground combat operation in the larger "Inner" Japanese Islands.

During WWII the Naichi (内地, lit. "inner lands") of the Japanese Empire referred to the territories under direct control of the government. The larger islands in this included Hokkaidō, Honshū, Kyūshū and Shikoku, as well as the prefecture of Karafuto, which was the southern half of the island of Sakhalin, which became part of the empire following the Russo-Japanese war. No longer part of Japan today, this is the only one of the larger Japanese islands to have a ground assault by U.S. forces during WWII. The Soviet Union would later invade on 11 August 1945, three days before the announced unconditional surrender of Japan on 14 August 1945.

This is a tremendous grouping consisting of a Battle Flag of the USS Barb, which comes with a letter of provenance from the man who owned the flag from 1945 up until 2011, Calvin McPhie. McPhie had been a member of the USS Finback (SS-230) submarine, and was stationed with his sub at Pearl Harbor in 1945 when he encountered a representative of the flag loft, which had brought a few samples of submarine battle flags around to sell to crews. As the story goes, when the representative had approached the members of the Barb, they appeared uninterested. The representative then left McPhie this sample to show the quality of work done on the flag, and he kept the flag until February of 2011, when he sold the flag to a local historian.

The flag, which measures 30" x 27”, is in phenomenal condition, and is mounted to a board and sealed behind plastic. The paint is spectacularly preserved, with the only serious wear being to the edges which show cracking. The top of the flag has the awards received by the Submarine & its crew, including the Medal of Honor received by its commander, Eugene B. Fluckey. These also include 6 Navy Crosses, 23 Silver Star Medals, 23 Bronze Star Medals, and a Presidential Unit Citation for the Barb. The center depicts a Barbus, the fish for which the submarine was named, wearing a bandolier of dynamite and holding a lit stick. This is the greatest & most attractive Submarine battle flag we’ve ever had. The Medal of Honor ribbon at the top really ties it all together. 

Upon completion of her 11th patrol, Barb was sent to the U.S. for a yard overhaul and alterations, which included the installation of 5 in (130 mm) 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. On 2 July; she also bombarded the garrison on 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.

Also included with the grouping are:

• The Book “Thunder Below: The USS Barb Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II” by Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, the commander awarded the Medal of Honor for his work on the Barb. The book was signed in 1995 by Fluckey. 
• The back of the flag has several pages of provenance and research on the flag and its previous owner, Calvin McPhie, who served aboard the USS Finback, which is the submarine that saved future president George H. W. Bush. There are photos of McPhie with the Bushes.
• Pages of research on the book “Thunder Below” along with a few large photographs of the Barb.
• Small scale model of the USS Barb also showing part of her interior with USS BARB - 1944 on a small plaque. Model is roughly 11” long and is in its original box. From the Editions Atlas Collection.
• Larger 1:300 Scale replica of the USS Barb made by the Danbury Mint, comes with a certificate of authenticity, original receipt for the model which cost roughly $300. Comes in its original box and styrofoam packaging. A fantastic model to have displayed with the Battle flag.

This is an absolutely tremendous grouping with a 1945-made Battle flag of one of the most combat-torn submarines in U.S. History. It carries with it a legacy of carrying out the only U.S. ground combat operation in the Larger Japanese Inner Islands during World War II. This is truly a one-of-a-kind item, one we will never see another of. Don’t miss out on what will certainly become the centerpiece of any WWII Naval Collection.

The USS Barb

The keel of USS Barb was laid down on 7 June 1941 by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 2 April 1942 (sponsored by Mrs. Charles A. Dunn, wife of Rear Admiral Dunn), and 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.

During her first patrol she carried out reconnaissance duties prior to, and during, the 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.

Following a brief overhaul period at New London, Barb departed for 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 Un'yō, sunk on 17 September 1944. On 15–16 September Barb rescued 14 Australian and British POW survivors of SS Rakuyō Maru.

The last five war patrols (8-12) conducted by Barb were under 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) 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.

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) 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.

The submarine was renamed Enrico Tazzoli (S 511) by the Italian Navy, after Enrico Tazzoli, an Italian priest.

The submarine was eventually sold for scrap in 1972 for approximately $100,000 (currently $728,000). 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.