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Casualty Info
Home Town Madison, IL
Last Address Madison, IL
Casualty Date Mar 28, 1945
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location South China Sea
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii
Wall/Plot Coordinates Court 5 (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Commander Connole was the Commanding Officer of the USS Trigger (SS-237) when it was lost.
USS Trigger (SS-237) began her 12th war patrol 11 March 1945. She made attacks on the 18th and the 20th. On 26 March she was ordered to join a "wolf pack" to attack Japanese shipping. She radioed a weather report that day and was never heard from again. She may have fallen victim to a Japanese air and ship attack, but her fate is unknown. Commander Connole was listed as missing in action and later declared dead 21 April 1946.
Comments/Citation:
Silver Star
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Division: U.S.S. Pompano (SS-181)
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01623 (July 11, 1943)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant David Rickart Connole (NSN: 0-77013), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181), during three successful and aggressive War Patrols which resulted in the sinking of an important amount of enemy shipping. During one severe and prolonged depth charge attack, when driven well below test depth and with an excessive amount of water flooded into the ship, his calm and capable performance of duty under extremely adverse conditions made it possible to work the ship off the bottom and after surfacing 1,000 yards from a light house at the entrance to an enemy harbor, to successfully clear the enemy patrol and return to port. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Silver Star
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 0373 (February 16, 1948)
Action Date: July 19 - September 12, 1942
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Diving Officer
Division: U.S.S. Pompano (SS-181)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant David Rickart Connole (NSN: 0-77013), United States Navy, for outstanding courage, intrepidity, skill and resourcefulness at his battle station as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181) during the THRID War Patrol of that Submarine in Japanese Empire waters from 19 July to 12 September 1942, which resulted in the credited sinking of a freighter, destroyer and patrol vessel. During one severe and prolonged depth charge attack when driven well below test depth and with an excessive amount of water flooded into the ship, Lieutenant Connole's calm and capable performance of duty under extremely adverse conditions made it possible to work POMPANO off the bottom and after surfacing 1,000 yards from a light house at the entrance to an enemy harbor, to successfully clear the enemy patrol and return to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men in his ship and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
