World War II Honoree

Herman Henry Winkler

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Midland, Michigan

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.

QUARTERMASTER THIRD CLASS PETTY OFFICER KILLED WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS CAPELIN (SS-289) IN DECEMBER 1943. DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART. USS CAPELIN (SS-289) DEPARTED DARWIN AUSTRALIA FOR HER SECOND PATROL ON 17 NOVEMBER 1943 UNDER THE COMMAND OF COMMANDER E.E. MARSHALL. HER AREA WAS IN THE MOLUKKA AND CELEBES SEAS, AND SHE WAS TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO KAOE BAY, MOROTAI STRAIT, DAVAO GULF AND TRADE ROUTES IN THE VICINITY OF SIAOE, SANGI, TALAUD AND SARANGANI ISLANDS. CAPELIN WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN; RADIO SILENCE WAS BROKEN IN THE ATTEMPT TO REACH HER ON 9 DECEMBER, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS. CAPELIN WAS LOST WITHOUT A TRACE OR KNOWN CAUSE IN CELEBES SEA, OR IN MOLUKKA PASSAGE OR THE MOLUKKA SEA, PROBABLY IN DECEMBER 1943. ENEMY MINEFIELDS ARE NOW KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN PLACED IN VARIOUS POSITIONS ALONG THE NORTH COAST OF CELEBES IN CAPELIN’S AREA, AND SHE MAY HAVE BEEN LOST BECAUSE OF A MINE EXPLOSION. USS CAPELIN (SS-289) WAS LOST WITH 76 OFFICERS AND MEN.