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Casualty Info
Home Town Emeryville, CA
Last Address 381 D St Chula Vista, CA
Casualty Date Apr 08, 1945
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location South China Sea
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
Wall/Plot Coordinates MAA 41 (memorial marker)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
USS Snook (SS-279) was on her ninth war patrol when she was lost. Her last radio transmission was on 8 April 1945 when she reported her position to the submarine Tigrone (SS-419). Tigrone replied, but Snook did not respond. She was lost, with all hands and her fate has never been determined. Lieutenant Commander Farrel - the Snook's Executive Officer - was listed as missing in action and later declared dead 6 May 1946.
Although all available official Navy records have LCDR Farrel's last rank as Lieutenant, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has him listed as a Lieutenant Commander. It can only be assumed that he was promoted at some time between when he was listed as missing in action and officially declared dead
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 100401
Silver Star
Awarded for action during World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 320 (November 1943)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant William S. Farrel, United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving as Damage Control Officer in a warship during an engagement with Japanese forces off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. Lieutenant Farrel entered a burning compartment to remove explosives and assist in extinguishing the fire. His prompt action helped keep the ship in action and undoubtedly prevented further dangerous explosions. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Command duties:
Excutive Officer aboard USS S-14 (SS-119) - April 1944
Acting Captain aboard USS S-14 (SS-119) - April 30, 1944
Excutive Officer aboard USS Snook (SS-279) - August 1944 - April 9, 1944
Submarine war patrols: USS Snook (SS-279) - 7th through 9th
Note: Duty station dates are estimated from news articles.
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.
During his boyhood, Bill was influenced by the naval career of his father, and his earliest remembered ambition was to follow in his father's footsteps. After overcoming numerous obstacles, he is at last realizing his ambition. Bill is gifted with a deep and sincere love of music, and he utilizes practically all of his spare hours in pursuing his art. Perhaps he is not yet a rival of the great Kreisler, but still he doesn't just "fiddle around," he is really an accomplished violinist. The Musical Club Shows and the choir have seen Bill's smiling face and heard his voice ever since he was a plebe. Bill's other hobbies are sailing in the dinghies and the Vamarie, and building detailed boat models. Always quiet, good-humored, hard working, congenial and persevering, Bill has a most remarkable faculty for making the best use of his time. Whenever he becomes interested in a job, he generally takes it up whole-heartedly -- and the result is that his hobbies are related and leave him never a dull moment.
Boat Club 4, 3, 2. 1; Orchestra 4, 3, 2, Leader 1; Choir 4, 3, 2; Radio Club 3; Sailing 2, 1.
The Class of 1941 was the first of the wartime-accelerated classes, graduating in February 1941.
