USS SNOOK SS 279

USS SNOOK SS 279 Gato Class

April 8, 1945. Sunk by unknown causes. 84 men lost.

From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Snook
A robalo of the Atlantic that is bluish-gray above and silvery below a black lateral line. The snook attains a length of about four feet and a weight of from 15 to 20 pounds.

(SS-279: dp. 1,526 (surf.), 2,410 (subm.); l. 311'8"; b. 27'4"; dr. 15'3"; s. 20.25 k. (surf.), 8.75 k. (subm.); cpl. 80; a. 1 5", 1 40mm., 10 21" tt; cl. Gato)

Snook's ninth and final patrol was conducted in the South China Sea and Luzon Strait. On April 12, 1945, she was ordered to perform lifeguard duty in the vicinity of Sakeshima Gunto in support of British carrier air strikes. On April 20, the commander of the British carrier task force reported he could not contact Snook by radio. Bang (SS-385) was then sent to rendezvous with Snook, however no contact was made. On May 16, 1945, Snook was declared missing and presumed lost.

During her nine-patrol career, Snook is credited with sinking 75,473 tons in 17 Japanese vessels. She earned seven battle stars for World War II service.