World War II Honoree

Herbert Barnes Much

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Alexandria, Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Fireman First Class. He enlisted into the United States Navy December 3, 1942, at Washington, District of Columbia, and completed Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station, District of Columbia. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and with additional training; he was transferred to the USS Herring Submarine I (SS-233) for duty. The USS Herring with her Shipmate’s were assigned duty with the Submarine Forces and located in the Pacific Theater of Operations. May 16, 1944, the USS Herring departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on her Eighth War-Patrol, topping off with fuel; along with other provisions at the United States Naval Air Station, Midway Island. June 1, 1944, this Battle-Tested Submarine was moored, off the coastal shores of Matua Island, located in the Kurile Islands Location: Western Pacific Theater of Operations. The USS Herring was sunk; by Imperial Japanese coastal shore Artillery Battery’s shelling fire, which scored two hits on the Sub’s Conning Tower. He was reported “Missing-in-Action” or Buried at Sea along with his gallant crew members, gone without a trace and will “Remain on Eternal Patrol”. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Honolulu Memorial location: Honolulu, Hawaii. In His Memory and Honor, this American Patriot received the following Decorations posthumously: Purple Heart and the Navy Presidential Unit Citation. The Purple Heart was awarded for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice.