World War II Honoree

Jack Eugene Groat

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Montford, Wisconsin

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veteran

He was killed with the loss of 84 Officers and men onboard USS SNOOK (SS-279) near 09 April 1945 Near 18° 40' N x 110° 40' E. Lost at sea, cause unknown. Decorations: Purple Heart. USS SNOOK, under the Command of J. F. Walling departed Guam on 25 March 1945 in company with USS BURRFISH (SS-312) and USS BANG (SS-385) to carry out a coordinated patrol with Commander Walling commanding the group. They were to patrol Luzon Strait, the south coast of China, and the east coast of Hainan, and to perform lifeguard duties if so directed by dispatch. SNOOK returned to Guam for emergency repairs on 25 March, and departed on 28 March to rejoin her group. The patrol was SNOOK's ninth. In accordance with her orders, weather reports were received daily from SNOOK as she proceeded westward until 1 April, when she was told to discontinue making them. On the same date, SNOOK was directed to proceed westward to join a coordinated attack group under Commander Cassedy in TIGRONE. BANG and BURRFISH already had been assigned lifeguard stations, and were not available for the attack group as originally planned. Although the last message received from SNOOK by shore bases was on 1 April, TIGRONE was in contact with her until 8 April, at which time SNOOK's position was 18° 40'N, 111° 39'E. On 9 April TIGRONE was unable to raise her by radio, nor was she ever able to afterwards. When SNOOK had not appeared or been heard from by 16 May, she was reported as presumed lost.