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US WWII SUBMARINE KIA Purple Heart
Document & Medal Group - USS BARBEL
Poignant grouping to Plank holder
crewmember of the submarine USS
BARBEL, NJ Van Ringelesteyn. He
enlisted into the navy reserves in
april 1943 in Detroit. After basic &
submarine school, he was promoted to
quarter master 3rd class & assigned
to the newly build submarine U.S.S.
Barbel based at New London ct.
Barbel arrived at Pearl Harbor on 21
June 1944 and commenced preparation
for her first war patrol. From 15
July 1944-4 February 1945, she
carried out four war patrols and is
officially credited with sinking six
Japanese ships totaling 15,263 tons.
Barbel departed Fremantle,
Australia, on 5 January 1945 for the
South China Sea on her fourth
patrol. Late in January she was
ordered to form a "wolfpack" with
Perch and Gabilan and patrol the
western approaches to Balabac Strait
and the southern entrance to Palawan
Passage. On 3 February, Barbel sent
a message reporting that she had
been attacked three times by enemy
aircraft dropping depth charges and
would transmit further information
on the following night. Barbel was
never heard from again. Japanese
aviators reported an attack on a
submarine off southwest Palawan on 4
February. Two bombs were dropped and
one landed on the submarine near the
bridge. The sub plunged, under a
cloud of fire and spray. This was
very likely the last engagement of
Barbel. She was officially reported
lost on 16 February 1945.
--- The grouping consists of his
original Purple Heart Medal
certificate with original Admiral
Forrestal signature, & Accolade in original
mailing tube to his wife, official
letter announcing his award of the
PURPLE HEART MEDAL USS Barbel's
commissioning ship's party program,
his original WWII, Pacific Theater
and American Campaign Medals,
original printed listing of crew of
Barbel, his ORIGINAL CITATION and
ORIGINAL SUBMARINE COMBAT BADGE,
still on cardboard mount, document
signed by Vice Admiral CA LOCKWOOD,
other letters from officials
concerning his death including two
from and signed by GLYNN DONAHO - 4x
Navy Cross Winner, two original
large studio portraits of the man,
and more.
http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/sublosses/sublosses_barbel.htm
$1450