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Nicole Summers, MMFN
to remember
Boyd, Thomas Ray, TM1.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Hazel Green, AL
Last Address Hazel Green, AL
Casualty Date Feb 04, 1945
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
USS Barbel (SS-316) began her fourth and last war patrol 5 January 1945. On 3 February she reported being attacked by enemy aircraft, and no word was heard from her after that date. Captured Japanese records report of the sinking of an American Submarine on 4 February, which was most likely Barbel, she was officially reported lost 16 February 1945. Torpedoman's Mate 1st Class Boyd was officially declared dead 19 February 1946.
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 theSouth 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 toPalawan Passage. On 3 February, Barbel sent a message reporting that she had been attacked three times by enemy aircraft droppingdepth 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.