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__NOTOC__
{{Infobox military person
The '''Operation Barney''' was an operation conducted by the ] during the ] in ]. In June 1945, nine American ] penetrated the ] and sank numerous ships.
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Frank Wesley Fenno Jr.
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Admiral Fenno.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name =
| nickname = "Mike"
| birth_date = {{birth date|1902|09|11}}<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg" />
| birth_place = ]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1973|08|16|1902|09|11}}<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg" />
| death_place = ]
| placeofburial = ]<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg" />
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} -->
| allegiance = {{flag|United States of America}}
| branch = ] ]
| serviceyears = 1925-1962<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/85565355/?terms=%22Frank%2BW%2BFenno%22 |title=28 May 1962, Page 9 - Biddeford-Saco Journal at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=1962-05-28 |accessdate=2022-06-05}}</ref>
| rank = ] ]<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg" />
| servicenumber = 59550<ref name="HallOfValor" />
| unit =
| commands = ]<ref name="NavyRegister1937">{{cite book |date=1 July 1937 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1937wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |archive-url=https://archive.org |archive-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> <br/> ] <br/> ] <br/> ]<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg" /> <br/>]
| battles = ]<br />]
| battles_label =
| awards = <small>] ]<ref name="HallOfValor" /> <br />] ] (3)<ref name="HallOfValor" /><br />] ]<ref name="HallOfValor" /><br />] ] (2)<ref name="HallOfValor" /></small>
| memorials =
| spouse = Avis Ann Cochran
| relations =
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}}


== Operation ==
'''Frank Wesley Fenno Jr.''' (March 15, 1909 – Aug 16, 1973) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral. An accomplished submarine commander during World War II, Fenno was awarded numerous military honors for his service, including the Distinguished Service Cross, three Navy Crosses, the Silver Star, and two Legion of Merit medals.<ref name="HallOfValor">{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20403|title=Frank Wesley Fenno Jr.|publisher=The Hall of Valor Project|access-date=2023-05-16}}</ref>
]
In 1944, the ] merchant fleet suffered heavy losses inflicted by American submarines, aircraft, and naval mines. Only a few Japanese ships were still moving in coastal areas, where they were relatively safe from submarine operations. In the secluded Sea of Japan, which was considered Japan's backyard, there was still active maritime traffic.


After experimenting with ] on minesweepers in submarines, Admiral ] conceived the idea to launch an attack using submarines equipped with mine sonar to navigate through the mine belts around the Sea of Japan. This would demonstrate to the Japanese that they were no longer safe anywhere, potentially aiding psychologically in bringing Japan to surrender. William Bernard (Barney) Sieglaff was tasked with devising the plan, which was subsequently named Operation Barney after him.<ref>Jack Sweetman: , Proceedings, Vol. 121/6/1,108, June 1995.</ref>
== Early life and education ==
Fenno was born March 15, 1909 in Westminster, Massachusetts. He attended Fitchburg High School before continuing his studies at the University of Maine. In 1921, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1925.<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg">{{cite news |title=Rear Admiral Fenno Of Westminster Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/45463713 |access-date=24 June 2021 |agency=Fitchburg Sentinel |date=18 August 1973}}</ref>


Under the command of E.T. Hydeman, three groups of three submarines (''wolfpacks'') entered the Sea of Japan through the ] on June 5 and 6, 1945, reaching their operation areas three days later. Over the span of eleven days, they sank 27 merchant ships totaling 54,784 BRT, as well as the Japanese submarine ''I-122'' and accidentally the Soviet freighter ''Transbalt''. The ''USS Bonefish'' was sunk by Japanese forces on June 19. On the night of June 24, the remaining eight submarines retreated from the Sea of Japan through the ]. It was one of the most successful submarine operations of the war.
== Career ==


Specifically, the submarines sank:
===Early Career===
* ''USS Sea Dog (SS-401)'' - 6 merchant ships
Fenno graduated from the Naval Academy in 1925, marking the beginning of his naval career. He initially served at the ] and subsequently joined the crew of the ] and later the ]. Fenno's dedication and talent caught the attention of his superiors, and he was selected to attend the submarine training course at New London, Connecticut.<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg" />
* ''USS Spadefish (SS-411)'' - 5 merchant ships
* ''USS Tinosa (SS-283)'' - 4 merchant ships
* ''USS Skate (SS-305)'' - 3 merchant ships and the submarine I-122
* ''USS Crevalle (SS-291)'' - 3 merchant ships
* ''USS Bonefish (SS-223)'' - 2 merchant ships
* ''USS Flying Fish (SS-229)'' - 2 merchant ships
* '']'' - 2 merchant ships
* '']'' - No sinking


Encouraged by the success, Admiral Lockwood subsequently sent a group of seven boats into the Sea of Japan.<ref>John A. Adams: ''If Mahan ran the Great Pacific War – An Analysis of World War II Naval Strategy'', Indiana University Press 2008, ISBN 978-0-253-35105-0, p. 376.</ref>
After completing the submarine training course, Fenno was assigned to the ] and later served on the ]. These early assignments provided him with valuable experience in submarine operations and laid the foundation for his future achievements.


=== World War II === == Literature ==
* ], Hans C. Adamson: ''Hellcats of the Sea: Operation Barney and the Mission to the Sea of Japan.'' Lulu.com 2018, ISBN 978-0-359-05705-4.
During World War II, Rear Admiral Frank Wesley Fenno Jr. played a significant role in submarine operations. Fenno served as the commanding officer of the submarines ] and ].<ref name="SilentVictory">{{cite book |last1=Blair |first1=Clay |title=Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan |date=1975 |publisher=J.B. Lippincott |location=Philadelphia |isbn=0-397-00753-1 |pages=206-208 |edition=First |url=https://archive.org/details/silentvictoryus00blai |access-date=24 June 2021}}</ref>
* Steven Trent Smith: Navytimes, September 29, 2019
* Jack Sweetman: , Proceedings, Vol. 121/6/1,108


== In Media ==
At the start of the war, Fenno was serving as the commanding officer of the USS Trout and led her on her first four war patrols. However, it was during the Trout's second war patrol that Fenno embarked on an unusual and hazardous mission. He was tasked with delivering much-needed antiaircraft shells to the hard-pressed forces on Corregidor. Recognizing an opportunity to further contribute to the war effort, Fenno devised a plan. In addition to delivering the ammunition, the Trout would pick up a load of torpedoes and fuel at Corregidor and conduct a patrol through Formosa Strait and the lower reaches of the East China Sea on its way back to Pearl Harbor.<ref name="SilentVictory" />
* ''Hellcats of the Navy'', Columbia Pictures 1957 (starring ])


== External Links ==
To facilitate the mission, Fenno removed most of the torpedoes and ballast from the submarine and loaded the Trout with 3,517 3-inch antiaircraft shells. The submarine successfully delivered the ammunition to Corregidor, but encountered a unique challenge. Fenno needed additional ballast to replace what had been removed in Pearl Harbor, but sandbags, the usual substitute, were vital to the defense of Corregidor. Instead, he was offered twenty tons of gold and silver that had been evacuated from Manila banks for safekeeping. Under Fenno's careful supervision, the precious cargo was transferred to the Trout during the night, with five hundred and eighty-three gold bars and eighteen tons of silver coins stacked in the bilges. Fenno signed a receipt acknowledging the transfer.<ref name="SilentVictory" />
* Mark Loproto: (English)
* on USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park Pearl Harbor (English)


== References ==
After departing Corregidor, the Trout passed through the East China Sea, during which Fenno engaged and sank an enemy freighter, Chuwa Maru, using three torpedoes. Continuing their journey, near the Bonin Islands, Fenno fired three torpedoes at another small patrol vessel, successfully destroying it. The Trout safely returned to Pearl Harbor after a successful patrol.<ref name="SilentVictory" />
<references />


]
Admiral Withers hailed Fenno as a hero, and the rescue of the gold and silver garnered positive attention during a time when good news was desperately needed. In recognition of his exceptional leadership and service, President Roosevelt directed that Fenno be awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross, while the rest of the crew received the Army Silver Star Medal.<ref name="SilentVictory" />
]

]
The Trout's second war patrol was later dramatized in the television series "The Silent Service" in 1957. Fenno was portrayed by actor ] and made a personal appearance at the end of the episode to discuss his account of the patrol.<ref name="SilentServices">{{cite web |title=The Trout at the Rainbow's End |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4845062/ |website=IMDb |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref>
]

]
Fenno's exceptional performance as the commanding officer of the Trout following his second war patrol led to him receiving two additional Navy Crosses. He also earned a third Navy Cross for his successful war patrol while commanding the USS Runner.
]
In addition to his submarine commands, Fenno served as Commander of a coordinated attack group of submarines from May to June 1944, earning the Silver Star for his leadership role.<ref name="HallOfValor" />
]

Fenno later commanded Submarine Division 201 and Submarine Squadron 24 from September 1943 to September 1945. His executive and administrative abilities significantly contributed to the success of these units, for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit.<ref name="HallOfValor" />

=== Post-World War II ===
After World War II, Fenno continued his naval career. He served as Commander of the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from November 1958 to October 1960. His leadership during this period of political tension and instability in Cuba earned him a second Legion of Merit<ref name="HallOfValor"/>.

Fenno retired from the Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral.

== Death ==
Fenno died on August 16, 1973. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.<ref name="ObituaryFitchburg" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 14:39, 19 September 2023

The Operation Barney was an operation conducted by the United States Navy during the Pacific War in World War II. In June 1945, nine American submarines penetrated the Sea of Japan and sank numerous ships.

Operation

Map of the Sea of Japan

In 1944, the Japanese merchant fleet suffered heavy losses inflicted by American submarines, aircraft, and naval mines. Only a few Japanese ships were still moving in coastal areas, where they were relatively safe from submarine operations. In the secluded Sea of Japan, which was considered Japan's backyard, there was still active maritime traffic.

After experimenting with sonar on minesweepers in submarines, Admiral Lockwood conceived the idea to launch an attack using submarines equipped with mine sonar to navigate through the mine belts around the Sea of Japan. This would demonstrate to the Japanese that they were no longer safe anywhere, potentially aiding psychologically in bringing Japan to surrender. William Bernard (Barney) Sieglaff was tasked with devising the plan, which was subsequently named Operation Barney after him.

Under the command of E.T. Hydeman, three groups of three submarines (wolfpacks) entered the Sea of Japan through the Korea Strait on June 5 and 6, 1945, reaching their operation areas three days later. Over the span of eleven days, they sank 27 merchant ships totaling 54,784 BRT, as well as the Japanese submarine I-122 and accidentally the Soviet freighter Transbalt. The USS Bonefish was sunk by Japanese forces on June 19. On the night of June 24, the remaining eight submarines retreated from the Sea of Japan through the La Pérouse Strait. It was one of the most successful submarine operations of the war.

Specifically, the submarines sank:

  • USS Sea Dog (SS-401) - 6 merchant ships
  • USS Spadefish (SS-411) - 5 merchant ships
  • USS Tinosa (SS-283) - 4 merchant ships
  • USS Skate (SS-305) - 3 merchant ships and the submarine I-122
  • USS Crevalle (SS-291) - 3 merchant ships
  • USS Bonefish (SS-223) - 2 merchant ships
  • USS Flying Fish (SS-229) - 2 merchant ships
  • USS Bowfin (SS-287) - 2 merchant ships
  • USS Tunny (SS-282) - No sinking

Encouraged by the success, Admiral Lockwood subsequently sent a group of seven boats into the Sea of Japan.

Literature

In Media

  • Hellcats of the Navy, Columbia Pictures 1957 (starring Ronald Reagan)

External Links

References

  1. Jack Sweetman: 50 Years Ago . . . Operation Barney, Proceedings, Vol. 121/6/1,108, June 1995.
  2. John A. Adams: If Mahan ran the Great Pacific War – An Analysis of World War II Naval Strategy, Indiana University Press 2008, ISBN 978-0-253-35105-0, p. 376.
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