USNR WORLD WAR II
Lieutenant, Edmund B. Kneisel MIA/KIA
Official Date of Death: Feb. 19, 1946
Probable loss February 4, 1945
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Wife, Mrs. Helen Grimm Kneisel, Kingsport, Tenn
Service # 0-085729
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
Captain: Lt/Cdr. Conde L. Raguet MIA/KIA

Ship: USS Barbel (SS-316)
Mission: fourth war patrol
Mission Date: 4-Feb-45
Location: Off Palawan
Cause: Sunk by Aircraft depth charge attack
Crew: of 81 MIA/KIA

Commanded by Lt. Cdr. C. L. Roguet, departed Fremantle for her fourth war patrol on 5 January 1945. She proceeded to Exmouth Gulf, conducting training exercises enroute. Having topped off with fuel, she left Exmouth Gulf on 8 January, and proceeded via Lombok Strait, Java Sea and Karimata Strait to patrol an area in the South China Sea. At dark on 16 February she was to leave her area and commence her return to Fremantle.

On 13 January, 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 wolfpack with PERCH and GABILAN and cover the western approaches to Balabac and southern entrance to Palawan Passage.

On 3 February 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 6 February 1945 that she had been unable to contact BARBEL for 48 hours, and that she had ordered her to rendezvous at 7 degrees-30 minutes N, 115 degrees-30 minutes E on 7 February. The rendezvous was not accomplished and TUNA reported her search unsuccessful on FEB 7 1945.

Japanese records indicate that on 4 February 1945 a plane attacked a submarine in position 7 degrees-49.5 minutes N,116 degrees-47.5 minutes E scoring one hit near the bridge with one of two bombs dropped. It appears almost certain that this attack sank BARBEL.

Visit the virtual cemetery of USS Barbel (SS-316)" Click Here "

USNR WORLD WAR II
Lieutenant, Edmund B. Kneisel MIA/KIA
Official Date of Death: Feb. 19, 1946
Probable loss February 4, 1945
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Wife, Mrs. Helen Grimm Kneisel, Kingsport, Tenn
Service # 0-085729
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
Captain: Lt/Cdr. Conde L. Raguet MIA/KIA

Ship: USS Barbel (SS-316)
Mission: fourth war patrol
Mission Date: 4-Feb-45
Location: Off Palawan
Cause: Sunk by Aircraft depth charge attack
Crew: of 81 MIA/KIA

Commanded by Lt. Cdr. C. L. Roguet, departed Fremantle for her fourth war patrol on 5 January 1945. She proceeded to Exmouth Gulf, conducting training exercises enroute. Having topped off with fuel, she left Exmouth Gulf on 8 January, and proceeded via Lombok Strait, Java Sea and Karimata Strait to patrol an area in the South China Sea. At dark on 16 February she was to leave her area and commence her return to Fremantle.

On 13 January, 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 wolfpack with PERCH and GABILAN and cover the western approaches to Balabac and southern entrance to Palawan Passage.

On 3 February 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 6 February 1945 that she had been unable to contact BARBEL for 48 hours, and that she had ordered her to rendezvous at 7 degrees-30 minutes N, 115 degrees-30 minutes E on 7 February. The rendezvous was not accomplished and TUNA reported her search unsuccessful on FEB 7 1945.

Japanese records indicate that on 4 February 1945 a plane attacked a submarine in position 7 degrees-49.5 minutes N,116 degrees-47.5 minutes E scoring one hit near the bridge with one of two bombs dropped. It appears almost certain that this attack sank BARBEL.

Visit the virtual cemetery of USS Barbel (SS-316)" Click Here "