World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John Franklin Walling
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Mystic, Connecticut
Honored By
U.S. Submarine Veteran
He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the class of 1935. After graduation he was assigned to USS TUSCALOOSA (CA-37). He was assigned there until 1937 when he was assigned to duty under instruction at Naval Submarine School New London. After Submarine School he was assigned to Submarine Squadron Five from July to October 1939. He was then assigned to USS S-37 (SS 142). He served as acting Executive Office and Engineering Officer. After S-37 he was assigned to USS FLYING FISH in 1942 and the Executive Officer. He was then assigned as the Commanding Officer on USS S-48 (SS-159), USS MARLIN (SS-205) and then USS SNOOK (SS-279) 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: Silver Star, Purple Heart. USS SNOOK, under his command departed Guam on 25 March 1945 in company with USS BURRFISH (SS-312) and USS BANG (SS-385) to carry out a coordinated patrol. 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.