World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Conde LeRoy Raguet
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Norfolk, Virginia
Honored By
U.S. Submarine Veteran
He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938. After graduation he served on USS IDAHO (BB-42) until October 1940. He was then assigned to Communications Duty Staff Commander Battle Force embarked onboard USS CALIFORNIA (BB-44) until Fall November 1940. After this assignment he was assigned under instruction at Naval Submarine School New London, Connecticut. Following Submarine School his first Submarine Assignment was on USS SARGO (SS-188) where he reported in June 1942. He departed SARGO in November 1943 as the Executive Officer and was then the Executive Officer on USS BLACKFIN (SS-322) until December 1944. He assumed command of USS BARBEL (SS-316) on 27 December 1944. USS BARBEL (SS-316), commanded by Lieutenant Commander C. L. Raguet, departed Fremantle for her fourth war patrol on 5 January 1945. She proceeded to Exmouth Gulf, conducting training exercises en route. Having topped off with fuel, she left Exmouth Gulf on 8 January, and proceeded via Lombok Strait, Java Sea and Karimata Strait to patrol an area in the South China Sea. At dark on 16 February she was to leave her area and commence her return to Fremantle. On 13 January, BARBEL was directed to join BLUEGILL and BREAM in covering the western approaches to Balabac Strait. On 27 January she was ordered to form a wolfpack with PERCH and GABILAN and cover the western approaches to Balabac and southern entrance to Palawan Passage. On 3 February 1945 BARBEL sent a message to TUNA, BLACKFIN and GABILAN reporting numerous aircraft contacts daily. BARBEL had been attacked by aircraft three times with depth charges, and would transmit a message "tomorrow night" giving information. This was the last contact with BARBEL. TUNA reported on 6 February 1945 that she had been unable to contact BARBEL for 48 hours, and that she had ordered her to rendezvous at 7° 30'N, 115° 30'E on 7 February. The rendezvous was not accomplished and TUNA reported her search unsuccessful on 7 February 1945.