Operation Barney avenges USS Wahoo loss in WWII
- Vice Admiral Charles Lockwood initiated Operation Barney to avenge the USS Wahoo submarine.
- Nine submarines were deployed on May 29, 1945, targeting Japanese supply lines.
- Operation Barney succeeded in sinking twenty-eight enemy vessels, underscoring its significance in the Pacific War.
During World War II, the U.S. Navy submarine force played a crucial role in America's efforts against Imperial Japan. One significant operation, conceived by Vice Admiral Charles Lockwood, was named Operation Barney, which aimed to retaliate for the loss of the USS Wahoo and its crew. Launched on May 29, 1945, this mission involved nine submarines known as Hydeman’s Hellcats, which were separated into three groups called the Hep Cats, the Polecats, and the Bobcats. These submarines faced treacherous conditions, including underwater mines that posed threats to their missions. As they ventured into the Sea of Japan, submarines like the USS Bowfin and the USS Sea Dog were pivotal in disrupting Japanese supply lines. The USS Bowfin managed to sink the Shinyo Maru and the Akiura Maru, which were vital to Japan's war efforts. This operation ultimately concluded with over twenty-eight enemy vessels being sunk, showcasing the effectiveness of the U.S. submarine fleet in degrading Japan’s military capabilities. However, the operation was not without cost, as one of the submarines, the USS Bonefish, was lost, reminding the fleet of the persistent dangers they faced during these combat missions. The importance of Operation Barney can be seen in its strategic success, as it was directly aimed at weakening Japanese logistics and morale late in the Pacific War. Returning to Pearl Harbor on July 4, 1945, the USS Bowfin and the other participating submarines received commendations from Vice Admiral Lockwood himself, who referred to them as the 'Mighty Mine Dodgers.' Such recognition underscored the bravery and effectiveness of the crews involved, emphasizing the significant impact of these underwater operations on the wartime narrative. The legacy of Operation Barney lives on, not only through the valor demonstrated by its participants but also as a historical marker of the strategic importance of submarine warfare in the Pacific Theatre. Today, as remnants from this era are preserved for posterity, the sacrifices made by these brave sailors serve as a somber reminder of the human costs associated with military operations and the relentless pursuit of strategic objectives within the harrowing theater of war.